Giant £500,000 cannabis farm found in Smethwick as police issue warning

A large cannabis farm worth around half-a-million pounds has been uncovered at a Black Country industrial unit. West Midlands Police’s Sandwell priority crime team received a tip-off and carried out a raid at the premises off Vittoria Street in Smethwick, near the Birmingham Canal.

The warrant was executed at around 5am on Friday (November 8). Inside officers found some 500 cannabis plants. No arrests have been made.

West Midlands Police urged anyone with suspicions to contact them and let them know. They added drugs "fuel further crime".

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A spokesperson for the force said: “We discovered up to 500 cannabis plants after executing a drugs warrant in Smethwick. Our Sandwell priority crime team acted on information and raided an industrial unit off Vittoria Street.

“It happened at around 5am on Friday (November 8) and the plants will now be destroyed. Our enquiries around the drugs factory are continuing. Drugs not only ruin lives, but fuel further crime.

“We take regular action to shut down drug dens and target suppliers and dealers. Cannabis farms can have a devastating impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods.

“The dangerous electricity bypasses can lead to catastrophic house fires and the associated crime linked to cannabis farms has a knock-on effect on the area. If you are concerned this kind of activity is happening where you live, call us on 101 or use Live Chat. Alternatively, you can report crime anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”