Warrington cannabis farm compost given to local community by police

Criminals had intended to use the compost to feed plants at the cannabis farm

Bags of compost recovered in a police raid on a large cannabis farm are set to be reused on the grounds of local cemeteries and schools.

Hundreds of cannabis plants were found growing inside a boarded-up high-street store on Bridge Street, in Warrington.

Cheshire Police also happened upon about £6,000-worth of soil and fertiliser, which officers decided to donate to Warrington Borough Council.

The compost is now set to be spread on green spaces across the town.

The soil and fertiliser was donated to the Warrington Council for use on local green spaces

About 369 large cannabis plants were found growing in the building on Tuesday, surrounded by a "sophisticated set up of venting systems and electricity use", Supt Adam Ross said.

The farm was dismantled and the class B drugs were destroyed before the force chose to donate the soil rather than let it go to waste.

A spokeswoman for the force confirmed there was no risk of cross-contamination from the compost, which had been unused and stored in unopened bags.

Supt Ross said it was "great to see something positive come out on this occasion" given the "long-term damage that illegal drugs can have on our community".

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