Man charged over £600k cannabis farms

A room densely packed with tall, leafy plants that appear to be cannabis. The plants have long, narrow leaves and are growing closely together, filling most of the visible space. The room has brick walls that show signs of discoloration or wear. The lighting casts a strong yellowish hue across the scene.Image source, South Yorkshire Police
Image caption,

Two cannabis farms were found hidden inside two properties in Doncaster

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A man has been charged after two large cannabis farms with drugs worth over £600,000 were discovered inside two properties in Doncaster.

During a raid of one of the terraced homes in Nether Hall Road on Tuesday, officers found plants spreading over five rooms, including the cellar and the loft.

A second raid at a nearby property revealed another cannabis farm and a 46-year-old man was arrested. He has since been charged with the production of cannabis and remanded in custody ahead of appearing at Sheffield Crown Court in November.

Officers said one of the properties had posed a "huge fire risk" to neighbouring homes as the electricity supply had been bypassed.

The warrants executed on Tuesday were part of wider work conducted by Doncaster Central Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) to tackle drug supply in the area.

South Yorkshire Police said over £1m of cannabis had been seized from five addresses over the past month.

A police raid in progress at a residential property. Three officers, dressed in black tactical uniforms and helmets marked "POLICE" and "TSG" (Tactical Support Group), are actively engaged in forced entry. One officer is using a battering ram to break down a white front door of a red-brick house. Another officer stands behind him, holding an orange tool, possibly used for breaching or support. A third officer is partially visible on the right side, wearing gloves and assisting in the operation.
Next to the door being breached, there is a blue recycling bin. In the background, a green door with a brass mail slot and knocker can be seen.Image source, South Yorkshire Police
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Several addresses were raided by officers on Tuesday

Sgt Martin Maw said: "Cannabis cultivations like the ones discovered this week are frequently linked to serious and organised criminal networks who are involved in gang violence and drug dealing which threatens the safety of the communities we serve.

"We will continue to plough resources into dismantling drug cultivations and in turn, disrupting organised crime groups."

He said since the discovery of the farms, both properties had been reported to the Electricity Board and made safe.

Anyone worried about cannabis cultivations in their neighbourhood is asked to report it to police.

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