A CANNABIS farm with an estimated street value of more than half a million pounds has been uncovered by police during a raid at a flat in Hoylake this morning.
Officers carried out a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at a rented property in Albert Road at around 9.30am.
The farm had been set up at the address in four different rooms, with 140 plants growing in one room and three others adapted for the growing of cannabis.
The plants and sophisticated hydroponic equipment are currently being removed. The electricity was also found to have been illegally bypassed.
Below: The cannabis farm uncovered by police during this morning's raid in Hoylake.
Police at the scene following this morning's raid in Hoylake. Picture: Paul Heaps
Sergeant Mike Rowntree said: "The room the cannabis was found in alone would have an estimated annual yield of around £560,000.
"Had the other rooms been brought into use, this figure could have been much more."
Below: Equipment found at the cannabis farm, which was uncovered by police during this morning's raid in Hoylake.
Sgt Rowntree continued: "Thankfully officers have taken action and prevented criminals from making any further financial gain from this property.
"Cannabis cultivation by criminal gangs can cause serious harm in our communities.
"Criminal groups involved in the cultivation of cannabis are usually involved in other serious organised crime and they often rent residential properties such as this.
"The growing of cannabis also brings dangers to neighbouring properties. Cannabis farms are a serious fire risk.
"Those who set up these farms often tamper with the electricity meters to steal electricity, and there will generally be a number of hot lamps hooked to overloaded electricity sockets and an extensive watering system.
"Electricity and water are never a good combination and the fire service have seen an increase in the number of fires they have been called to as a result of fires caused by the crude systems put in place by the people who set up these farms.
"Our communities can help us stop these groups, who are only interested in making money, from turning houses and flats into potential death traps.
"Nobody wants to live next door to these houses and we would ask that if you believe someone is using a property in a street for this purpose please tell us so we can take positive action and find those responsible for setting them up."
Above: Entrance leading to the cannabis farm, which was uncovered by police during this morning's raid in Hoylake.
Cannabis cultivation is an increasing problem across Merseyside and more than 500 drug farms were discovered in police raids across the county last year.
Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown are:
• Strange smells and sounds
• Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times
• Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting
• Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed
• Heat from an adjoining property
• Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather
• Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more sinister
Anyone with any information should call Wirral CID on 0151 777 2260, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Below: Cannabis farm that was uncovered by police during raid on flat in Hoylake this morning.
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