Police use chainsaw to hack into £250,000 drugs factory

A drugs factory has been dismantled in a quiet South Yorkshire town by eagle-eyed officers.

The factory, based in commercial premises in Thorne, was raided after South Yorkshire Police received information, which led to the discovery of the £250,000 drugs factory.

Using a chainsaw to cut through two metal roller shutters, officers were able to access the cannabis cultivation inside. The force says 235 plants in total was found alongside a drying room which contained around £20,000 worth of cannabis.

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A spokesperson said: "The premises was divided into eight growing rooms spread across two floors, with a living quarter comprising of a single bed, toiletries, a stove for cooking and a well-stocked fridge."

One man was arrested at the scene in the town centre after being seen exiting through the roof. He has since been charged with being concerned in the production of a controlled class B drug.

Doncaster East Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Alison Carr said: "This was a significant cannabis cultivation and evidence shows these grows are linked to organised crime groups who have absolutely no place in our society.

"They are responsible for spreading fear, violence and terror in our communities, and by disrupting their supply of drugs, which funds further criminal activities, we can limit their influence and dismantle their operations.

"These cannabis cultivations are also linked to modern slavery, as they are known to exploit vulnerable people who are forced to commit to looking after these grows.

"That is another reason why we need people to keep reporting any suspicions they have around cannabis grows to police so we can act and deliver justice."