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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis farm found on Preston retail park
Lancashire Telegraph Tuesday 14 Jun 2011 A haul of 326 mature cannabis plants, some of which had been harvested and prepared for sale, were found in a former cash and carry in the grounds of Deepdale Retail Park in Preston. Police raided the disused warehouse, formerly Booker cash and carry, after a tip-off. Meanwhile, police in Chorley have raided an industrial unit in Drumhead Road and uncovered 300 plants with an approximate street value of £100,000. The Deepdale find, among the biggest ever in Lancashire, comes less than four months after a haul said to be worth £1m was discovered at a lock-up in Wyder Court, Ribbleton, Preston. Police raided the Deepdale site at 5am on Saturday and uncovered a 'large-scale' operation, including a quantity which was bagged and ready for the streets. No one was inside the factory and police were today hunting those behind the operation. Det Insp Keith Lee, of Lancashire Police, said: "This is a result of information from the public and we appreciate that. "Any information relating to drugs we will act upon it and we would encourage anybody who may know anything to get in touch." Det Insp Lee said the factory was a sophisticated operation. He added: "It is obviously well-organised criminals. "It is a sizeable find, somebody will be out of pocket. "It is good that it is not going to be out on the streets." Preston Coun Terry Cartwright, who represents the Deepdale ward, said: "People had seen a lot of police about going into and out of this building. "There were crime scene investigators going in and out. "It is surprising this can go on undetected within feet of people’s homes. "It is terrible what has gone on. "It will shock the neighbours that all this illegal activity has been going on close to houses on a site owned by Deepdale Retail Park. "It is an amazing discovery." Colin Gilligan, manager of the Deepdale Retail Park, which owns the building, said: "The unit was subject to a lease and we are assisting police with their enquiries." He added Booker had moved out of the unit several years ago and had been empty for a significant period of time. There have been no arrests following the Chorley raid on May 31 and police have appealed for witnesses to come forward. In February police swooped on a building at Wyder Court, Ribbleton, where a haul was discovered which Det Insp Lee said was worth £1m. Last week five men pleaded guilty to being concerned in producing a Class B drug at Preston Crown Court. Rickie Smith, 32, of Vincent Parade, Birmingham, Mario McKenzie, 24, of Mauldeth Road West, Withington, Manchester, Nyron Brown, 23, of Wanford Close, Manchester, Scott McFeely, 29, of Thornleigh Road, Manchester and Wayne Watson, 23, of Thorneigh Road, Manchester, will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on July 7. http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/cannabis_farm_found_on_preston_retail_park_1_3476327
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