Police find cannabis haul behind fake wall

10:09am Friday 21st November 2008

A SECRET cannabis factory was discovered when a Winsford man ran off during a routine police stop and was tracked to his home.

The illegal set-up was found behind a fake wall in the garage of a house in Leaf Grove after officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis in his home.

The 34-year-old was stopped in Woodford Lane after failing to attend court on an unrelated matter, but took flight.

But police traced his address and upon calling at his house, noticed the telling smell and searched his garage.

The fake wall was ripped down, revealing the home growing operation, complete with specialist growing lights.

Insp Dave Snasdell, from Winsford NPU, said the find marked another victory in the town’s ongoing battle with drugs.

He said: “The discovery was something of a surprise, but represents excellent work by the officers who carried out the initial stop check and the subsequent search.

“This is the second such find in just under a month and shows that we are taking action against those who supply and use illegal drugs in Winsford.”

He added: “My officers are committed to tackling all issues related to the supply and use of illegal drugs and our recent activity has shown that we will not hesitate to take action wherever and whenever necessary.

“Illegal drugs have no place in Winsford.”

The 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and for failure to appear at court and has been given police bail pending forensic enquiries.