Three cannabis factories shut down in ‘troubled Coventry’

Police have closed three houses being used as drug farms in a troubled neighborhood in Coventry. Officers discovered cannabis farms at addresses on Dean Street, Monks Road and Hastings Road in Stoke.

Orders preventing anyone other than the owner from entering for three months are now in place, West Midlands Police said. All were released at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, May 9.

Officers searched an address on Monks Road in Stoke on Wednesday, March 6, after discovering electricity had been dangerously bypassed. Inside they found 28 cannabis plants upstairs, with a further 23 downstairs, West Midlands Police said.

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Hydroponic equipment and heaters were also found at the Monks Road address, all of which were “drawing electricity from the bypassed grid”. On Dean Street in Stoke, more than 50 plants were found at an address with four grow rooms set up to grow and process cannabis, West Midlands Police said.

Police also discovered a large-scale cannabis farm with 214 plants inside on Hastings Road in Stoke. A 32-year-old man was arrested at the address and later charged with cultivating cannabis, West Midlands Police said. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Friday, April 5.

“We are determined to keep the pressure on drug dealers in Coventry”

Coventry North East Inspector Sarah Stobbart said they were “committed” to tackling drug dealing in Coventry. She urged anyone with information about where organized gangs are operating to get in touch using 101 or WMP Live Chat.

Inspector Stobbart said: “It was more excellent work by the teams involved, who are all committed to dealing with cannabis farms and related crime. Cannabis farms are so dangerous, they not only pose a fire risk to the property but also to neighboring homes.

“Alongside this, growing cannabis involves the exploitation of vulnerable people at all levels, so we are determined to keep the pressure on drug dealers in Coventry. We rely on information from the public to tell us where this type of activity is taking place, as this helps us build an intelligence picture of how and where to target our activity.”

She added: “If you are concerned that this could be happening near where you live, please let us know. To report suspicious activity, contact us via 101 or Live Chat. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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