Yahoo News Police find 500 cannabis plants 'spanning six rooms' in old town centre bank
Police have uncovered up to 500 cannabis plants packed inside a former town centre bank. Officers say the illicit operation spanned six rooms in the one-time Lloyds in the middle of Cheadle.
Now an investigation is underway to track down those behind the enterprise. The operation was rumbled after a passer-by reported being able to smell cannabis coming from the vacant High Street building.
StokeonTrentLive reported how police lined the street yesterday as the sheer extent of the cannabis factory was unearthed. The one-time bank closed for the final time in 2022.
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The lack of banking facilities in Cheadle led to a 'Banking Hub' being set up in Lulworth House - which sees different banks operate on designated days. For now attentions are now back on the one-time Lloyds after yesterday's bust, which took place at around 3pm.
Staffordshire Police say that between 300 and 500 plants were found across six rooms. Meanwhile the 'sophisticated' electricity bypass meant National Grid had to be called out to make it safe.
Inspector Karen Cooke, of Moorlands Local Policing Team, said: "Reports like this from members of the local community are vital in our continued efforts to tackle organised crime in Staffordshire.
“These grows are often linked to organised crime groups and can present significant fire safety risks to those in the area. They are linked to exploitation of vulnerable people and must be targeted proactively in-order to stop organised criminals from offending on our streets.”
Witnesses are asked to call the force on 101 and quote incident 138 of September 26.
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