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Blitz reveals new cannabis farm

Frank Wood
8/ 5/2008

A THIRD cannabis farm in 10 days was discovered in Heywood as police carried out a major crime blitz across the borough.

Cannabis plants were found growing in a room of a house on Hornby Street, near Heywood town centre, when police raided the building during a successful two-day operation code-named Stormont.

A man of 28 was arrested at the scene and given police bail until 15 June for further questioning and to allow forensic examination of items taken away from the scene.

The man was one of 45 people arrested during the police operation, which resulted from undercover work and information passed on by members of the public.

They are being questioned for a range of alleged offences, including drugs handling, burglary, robbery, violent disorder, child cruelty and failing to appear in court.

Heywood’s police chief, Inspector Darrell Butterworth, said the discovery of cannabis plants growing in the house on Hornby Street was the third similar find in 10 days.

In the earlier raids, 75 plants were found growing in an end-terraced house in Green Lane and, as police questioned a man about another matter at a flat in Angel Meadow, they found cannabis plants growing in an adjoining room.

Of the 45 people arrested in Operation Stormont, 12 have been charged and three cautioned. Others are on police bail pending further investigation.

Police say high visibility patrols were carried out in hotspot areas after the crackdown to provide extra reassurance to communities.

Inspector David Shepherd, of GMP’s Rochdale Division, said: "We committed a lot of resources to this operation and are pleased with the number of arrests made. I would also urge people across the borough to contact us about crimes or to report those involved, as information submitted can, in many cases, lead to arrests and offenders being taken off the streets."

For non-emergency calls or to report a crime, call 0161 872 5050 or report it online at www.gmp.police.uk

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111.

Heywood’s Neighbourhood Policing Team can be contacted on: 0161 856 8589 or by emailing heywoodpartnership@gmp.police.uk.