WE'LL DRIVE CANNABIS FARMERS OUT OF TOWN SAYS TOP COP

A TOP detective has vowed to drive cannabis farmers out of Bolton
following the discovery of six drugs factories in a single weekend.

Raids carried out across the town on Saturday and Sunday uncovered
sophisticated farms cultivating thousands of plants in
ordinary-looking properties.

It is believed they had all been set up and operated by the same gang
from the Far East and a total of 14 houses where drugs were being
grown have been raided by police in Bolton in the past four months.

Det Chief Insp George Fawcett said: "There is no place for cannabis
farms in Bolton.

"We are using a number of tactics to locate these farms and the
apprehend the people responsible for setting them up and we are keen
to speak to members of the public who have information.

"Landlords also have a key role to play by letting us know if they
have any suspicions about the people they have let their properties to."

Det Chief Insp Fawcett said thousands of pounds worth of damage had
been caused by drugs gangs at the houses raided during the weekend.

Walls have been pulled down and, in one case, a concrete floor was
dug up to expose the mains electricity supply and bypass the meter.

Houses in Mornington Road, Heaton; Vigo Avenue, Middle Hulton;
Bromwich Street, The Haulgh; Bradford Road, Great Lever; Pennington
Road, Lever Edge; and Linnyshaw Close, Deane, were raided at the weekend.

More than 500 plants were found growing in some homes, along with
sophisticated heating, lighting and ventilation systems.

Det Chief Insp Fawcett said: "These farms are being set up with the
proceeds of what is often much more serious organised crime.

"We are working hard to trace not only those who are working to look
after plants on a day to day basis, but also those who are
responsible for funding them and ultimately profiting from the trade."