Cannabis Factory Found in Rochester House

17 June 2010, 07:25 | Updated: 17 June 2010, 07:36

Heart's been given pictures of cannabis plants that were found being grown in a house in Rochester.

Police searched the property on Rose Street after getting a tip off from neighbours.

More than 420 plants were found in two upstairs rooms and are estimated to have a street value of around £10,000.

Two men aged 40 and 37 have been arrested.

Detective Inspector Eddie Fox from Kent Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said:  "The action today was the result of the local community in Rochester coming forward to Kent Police with information about suspected drug activity.  I would like to thank the public for their support in helping us to identify the address as a place where cannabis was being cultivated and would encourage anyone else who may have concerns that drugs are being grown in their neighbourhood to get in touch with us.

"I would also like landlords to think carefully about who they rent their properties out to. Cannabis factories can cause a lot of damage to a property as well as the risk they pose when the electricity is tampered with. If you have any concerns that someone renting your property could be involved in illegal activity like this, then we want to hear from you.

"We are committed to tackling those involved in this type of serious criminality and taking them out of our communities."

The find is the latest in a series of crackdowns on drug activity across the Medway towns.  Officers at the Medway drugs team have already secured a number of convictions against men dealing class A drugs across the towns totalling over 100 years in the last 18 months.

Chief Inspector Mark Arnold who is responsible for Neighbourhood Policing in Medway said:  "The communities in Medway can so often prove to be the successful eyes and ears for Kent police so we are grateful for the information that they are able to provide us to ensure that cannabis factories such as this are shut down promptly.

"Kent Police in Medway are committed to tackling all drug issues across the towns.  This ranges from people dealing in class A drugs, cannabis factories such as this and people buying and using drugs.  We would ask that if any residents believe that there is illegal drug activity where they live that they contact Kent Police. It is with help from the community that we can get results such as this."

Police in Medway are asking residents to be on the look out for signs of possible illegal drugs activity, which include:

• Windows will be permanently covered from the inside
• Visits to the addresses will not match normal residents patterns
• The offenders may call daily or weekly but only for short periods
• Removal of quantities of black bags
• Compost bags and other gardening equipment in the garden close to the back door
• A pungent smell emanating from the property
• Sometimes a vent protruding from the roof tiles will be visible

Anyone with information about drug activity can contact Kent Police on 01622 690690. 

Alternatively officers in Medway have set up a dedicated phone line for people to call if they want to report suspected drug dealing in their area.  The number to call is 01634 792515.