MORE than £300,000 worth of drugs were seized by police after busting two cannabis factories as part of its work during Neighbourhood Policing Week.
Police acted on information to shut down the illegal drug operations, which were running in adjacent streets in the city centre.
Officers from Coventry’s organised crime and gangs unit executed a warrant at a Bramble Street home on Wednesday (January 25), discovering more than 90 plants and a haul of dry harvested bud.
This was part of a sophisticated set-up to produce drugs with a street value of around £230,000.
After forcing their way through the front entrance, officers were confronted by a sturdy steel door, which is a standard deterrent to prevent others from breaking in and stealing the crop.
A 27-year-old man was later charged with the production of cannabis and remanded to appear before Coventry Magistrates Court.
Shortly after, police recovered around 90 plants from a nearby house on Gulson Road and two Albanian men were arrested and referred to immigration services.
The drugs had a street value of up to £100,000.
Electricity was bypassed in both properties, presenting a serious fire risk which could have put the lives of residents and neighbours in danger.
Over 20 cannabis farms have been discovered in Coventry this year, with almost half of them being discovered during burglaries.
These are largely suspected of being linked to rival gangs.
Insp Alex Heeley, from Coventry Police, said: “As part of Neighbourhood Policing Week we’ve executed these warrants and shut down sophisticated drug operations.
“The cultivation of cannabis, and illegal use of properties, not only fuels the drugs market but also further crime which harms our communities.
“The setups to bypass electricity are dangerous and has led to fires at properties. This can put the lives of people at risk.
“Vulnerable people can also be exploited and we’ll continue to target those suspected of running and organising these drug factories.”
