£200,000 Cannabis Haul in Newcastle

8 April 2011, 11:16 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police in Newcastle have seized around 500 cannabis plants worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

On Tuesday 5th April police searched a property at York Street in the West End, and 500 plants were discovered spread across several rooms of the house.

The haul is estimated to be worth around £200,000 and enquiries are ongoing to trace the occupants of the address.

Benwell and Elswick Neighbourhood Sergeant Pinner Rana said: "We acted on information to execute a warrant at the house and recovered hundreds of cannabis plants spread across several rooms. This is an excellent seizure which ensures this cannabis will not reach the streets of Newcastle.

"I'd like to remind people how important it is for them to report anything suspicious in their street. It's also important for landlords to keep a close eye on their property.

"We know from previous experience that those setting up cannabis farms often pay a large amount of rent up front in cash, as well as other unusual activity such as comings and goings at odd times of day, unusual smells and blacked out windows.

"I'd urge landlords to keep a close eye on their property and both them and local residents should give us a call if they are suspicious so we can carry out enquiries. We'll continue to work closely with the community and landlords to ensure any cannabis farms across the area are dismantled."