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UK: Cannabis farms risking lives of police and public
Katie Norman South Wales Echo
Saturday 24 Nov 2007 SOPHISTICATED cannabis farmers are putting the lives of police and the public at risk. Police claim increasing numbers of lucrative drug farms are being uncovered, some in residential streets. Many can pose a danger to people living nearby as well as the investigating officers. The drug farms are often surrounded by dangerous booby-traps to deter rival gangs and are powered by unprofessionally wired electrics, which could pose a fire risk. Adding to the dangers, gas cannisters, which are often stolen from pubs and clubs, are sometimes used to fill the indoor farms with carbon dioxide to speed the growth process. This year, South Wales Police has carried out 49 raids on cannabis factories – but officers say that number is on the increase as the drug becomes stronger and more profitable to criminals. Only this week, police discovered factories in Brunswick Street, Canton, Cardiff, and the Aber Valley, near Caerphilly, as reported by the Echo. Detective Sergeant Dinlle Frances, of Bridgend drugs team, said: “It’s a lot more of a lucrative business than someone growing a few plants in their garden or attic. Now we have people taking over whole houses and producing a massive crop. “Very good quality skunk is double or three times the value it used to be and the very high quality skunk can have the same effects as class A drugs in terms of hallucinogens. It can be 10 or 20 times stronger than it was 20 years ago.” The increasing strength of the drug is suspected to be linked to increased mental health risks. It also means people are more likely to smell drugs from outside the suburban cannabis farms. The raid in Canton this week was prompted by two police community support officers, who smelt the drug while patrolling. Once the farms are identified, raids have to be carried out by officers who are specially trained to deal with the dangers inside. Firefighters also have to be on standby in case the hazardous electrics trigger a blaze or explosion. The trained officers must look for booby-traps, which are sometimes installed by criminals to prevent break-ins from other gangs. Det Sgt Francis said: “We have had door handles wired to the mains and false windows, so that if someone climbed through a window they would be spiked on massive nails.” While checking for traps and fire hazards, officers must wear protective masks to help them breathe safely while the area is ventilated. “When the officers enter the house, the atmosphere can be quite toxic,” said Det Sgt Francis. “It’s not only because of the strength of the drug itself, but mainly because of the CO2 contained inside. “There have been instances in other forces where officers have been overcome by it.” A spokesman for Western Power, which is responsible for electricity cabling in South Wales, said police often call them to deal with hazardous wiring after cannabis factory raids. He said: “We are quite regularly being called out to houses to make safe properties where the power supply has been tampered with. “Usually, the people responsible cut into the electricity cable as it comes into the house and before it reaches the meter. They then run a series of extensions around the property from this point to power heaters and lighting. “Obviously, these people are literally dicing with death. They are tampering with live cables that carry the kind of voltages that can easily kill.” http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk
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