Photo: Briar Road, Ainsdale (9.30pm)
UPDATE
Merseyside Police has arrested a man after the discovery of a cannabis farm in Ainsdale yesterday (Thursday, 14 August).
At about 8pm, a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant was executed at a premises on Briar Road following information received from the community.
Officers found 37 cannabis plants – with an estimated annual yield of around £148,000 – in a bedroom and greenhouse at the property. Sophisticated hydroponic growing equipment was also seized. A quantity of white powder was also discovered in the address.
A 48-year-old man from Ainsdale has been arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and possession of Class A drugs. He is currently being interviewed at a police station in Merseyside.
Neighbourhood inspector Jim Atherton said: “Cannabis cultivation often brings dangers to other nearby properties. Cannabis farms are a serious fire risk. Those who set up these farms often tamper with the electricity meters to take 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.
“In this case, vital information was provided by the community and we acted on it immediately. 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.”
Anyone with any information can call Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Warrant executed and drugs found in Briar Road Ainsdale
Merseyside police raided an address on Briar Road Ainsdale this evening, Thursday 13 Aug 2015.
Police smashed through the front door at around 8pm, unmarked police vehicles including armed response officers, scientific support and the dog section were at the Ainsdale house.
A police spokesperson on the scene said:
“We have just gained entry to the house. Searches have now started”.
Below, police could be seen searching the back garden of the property with the aid of sniffer dogs.
UPDATE
22:00 Police find a quantity or cannabis in the greenhouse and have started bagging it up. The smell of cannabis was overpowering in the local area.
OTSnews will update when Merseyside police release more information.
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