Police raid finds 700 cannabis plants spread across three floors of derelict nightclub

A cannabis factory with more than 700 plants spread across three floors of a derelict nightclub has been uncovered by police.

Officers from Northamptonshire Police made the discovery in the early hours of Thursday morning during the first warrant of a 'day of action' for the force.

The raid at the former Passion nightclub in Northampton revealed a huge cannabis factory spread across three floors, including the dancefloor.

Three men inside the building when it was raided, aged 21, 24 and 26, were all arrested at the scene.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Beth Curlett said the discovery was made after local residents reported the smell of the plants to police, and warned other offenders "we are watching you".

She said: “We have had some fantastic results today as part of our day of enforcement with 15 officers executing multiple warrants across the day.

“The cannabis factory in Sheep Street was uncovered as a result of community intelligence from people in the local area who could smell the plants and also noticed a variety of people going in and out of the property multiple times a day.

“This was really blighting their quality of life so I am pleased that we have cleared this factory and arrested those responsible.

“The times of purely reactive policing are long gone in Northamptonshire. We are now proactive and tuned into our local areas like never before.

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"This makes us more dangerous than ever and my message to criminals is simple – we are watching you, and with the community on our side as they are now, we will catch you and bring you to justice.

“More days of enforcement are planned in the future and I look forward to more good results.”

Three men have been charged in connection with the raid and were due to appear at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

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