Joiners Square cannabis factory sniffed out by workers
POLICE swooped on a cannabis factory after electricity workers raised the alarm when they smelled the drug.
Officers raided the terraced property in Bullers Street, Joiners Square, where dozens of cannabis plants were being nurtured.
-
SEARCH: Police and forensics officers at the scene of the raid in Joiners Square. Pictures: Mark Scott
Neighbours told how engineers from Western Power had reported a strong smell coming from the property.
A 33-year-old man was arrested following yesterday morning's operation.
Call WHITEGATES Today 01782 209935 ..Limited offer. Available only up on production of voucher. Sell your home for £399 plus vat.* #EPC is required to market your home not included in offer.
Terms: *Upfront payment, non-refundable in the event of property remaining unsold, being withdrawn from the market or being sold by another agent, yourself or by any other means.#EPC £62.50 plus vat.
Contact: 01782 209 935
Valid until: Thursday, July 04 2013
He remains in custody while officers continue their investigation.
Families told of their concerns following the raid, which happened just streets away from Waterside Primary School.
But they said the operation did not come as a surprise, after complaining of long-runing drugs issues on the estate.
Forty two-year-old Nicola Craggs, a member of the Joiners Square Residents Association, said: "I am not surprised this has happened at all.
"We have regular contact with the police who tell us that they are aware of problems in that area.
"It is concerning that the house is just metres away from a primary school, but I am sure parents and teachers do their best to make sure children don't see what they shouldn't.
"I know that community officers have been going into the school and talking to the teachers about the problems, so they can make the community aware of what is going on."
A 34-year-old man, who works at the nearby industrial estate and who preferred not to be named, witnessed the raid.
He said: "Some electricians had been working on the house and I think they reported it because they could smell the cannabis.
"The police were there for quite a while going in and out of the house.They brought loads of bags out. I assumed it was cannabis."
Another worker, aged 23, who also wanted to remain anonymous, added: "I saw the police and went out to have a look at what was going on and, as soon as I opened the door, I could smell drugs. It was really strong."
The raid comes just days after The Sentinel reported how police closed down a major drug production operation following a raid on a house in Hartshill Road, Hartshill.
Most of the upstairs floor and the loft of the house in were being used to cultivate the class B drug.
But the house was empty and police are now sifting through information in a bid to catch those behind the operation.
It is not known exactly how many plants were recovered in either raid, although police referred to a 'significant quantity' in connection with the Hartshill operation.
A spokesman from Staffordshire Police said: "Officers were on routine patrol in the area when they became aware of a strong smell of cannabis.
"After investigation it was established the smell was coming from an address in Bullers Street.
"Upon examination of the property officers discovered a cannabis factory.
"A 33-year-old man is currently in police custody."
Western Power did not respond when The Sentinel contacted the company for a comment.
19 Comments
View all
by dougalcross
Friday, February 15 2013, 10:04AM
“Johntoe, I have accepted you argument in favour of permitting the use of cannabis, Then you go overboard and sneer at the comments of people who wish to protect kids from the weed. You seem to believe that dealers do not supply school-children. Do you have any evidence for this? At the senior school near to my home, kids of 15 or 16 seem to have no trouble buying the stuff. They will tell you it's harder to buy fags and lager without an adult supplier. And you seem to have a real problem with beer and tobacco - I won't ask why, but you appear to desire a British nanny state, instead of allowing some freedoms for us to decide for ourselves.”
by dougalcross
Thursday, February 14 2013, 9:43PM
“Johntoe, I have accepted you argument in favour of permitting the use of cannabis, Then you go overboard and sneer at the comments of people who wish to protect kids from the weed. You seem to believe that dealers do not supply school-children. Do you have any evidence for this? At the senior school near to my home, kids of 15 or 16 seem to have no trouble buying the stuff. They will tell you it's harder to buy fags and lager without an adult supplier. And you seem to have a real problem with beer and tobacco - I won't ask why, but you appear to desire a British nanny state, instead of allowing some freedoms for us to decide for ourselves.”
by DJofTNE
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 1:14PM
“ALCOHOL KILLS AND SO DOES SELLING FAKE ALCOHOL, SO WHY DO OFF LICENCES GET AWAY WITH MURDER?”
by DJofTNE
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 1:11PM
“Stonersrscum, have you got a brother or sister called drinkers are scum? Alcohol kills, cannabis does'nt, simple.”
by DJofTNE
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 1:10PM
“Watch out, havark has got a job, well done.”
by Havark
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 12:10PM
“Mate you come and say that to my face!
I got the job, house, car and family!
Dont you ever say anything about other people when you know nothing about them cos i swear to god it will come back to bite you in the ass!!!”
by StonersRScum
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 12:00PM
“Now what was that mentioned about cannabis lowering IQ?”
by Havark
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 11:01AM
“People like StonersRScum and every other person who comments on this saying bad stuff about Stoners need to jog on and go suck there mummys nipples again!
I am presuming all of you drink or take some sort of pill?
If so your argument is completely invalid and you are doing alot more damage to yourself than me and my partner safely sitting on our sofa having a big fat dooby and eating pizza!
Do your research and actually find proof that Cannabis is dangerous because you wont find it anywhere other than Government ran websites that just want to scare you in to thinking so called "Stoners" are gonna hurt your little children.
Trust me when i say this... YOUR KIDS WILL SMOKE POT WHEN THEY ESCAPE YOUR ELUSIVE LIES!
Cannabis is the future of the economy and will drive this planet into the future. Your clothes, paper, fuel everything you can think of can be made or ran on/with hemp!
Rant over good day”
by bad_4_you
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 8:33PM
“Stoners smoke cannabis in front of their children.
Particularly in the young, CANNABIS LOWERS IQ.”
by jotlemming
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 6:56PM
“Clozer,you're absolutely right! Dozens of plants might make a nursery or a POTting shed..”