A LARGE cannabis farm was busted by police after they noticed the strong smell of the drug while carrying out speed checks in Newcastle.
Officers were conducting speed checks on Ponteland Road, in Blakelaw, on Thursday night when they pulled a vehicle over who was travelling above the limit.
When they got out of their patrol car to speak to the driver they noticed a strong smell of cannabis.
They searched the vehicle but found no sign of the drug so, after offering the driver words of advice about his speed, they began to search the area.
Their noses led them to an address on Antrim Close and so they knocked on the door to speak to the occupant about whether he was in possession of any drugs.
A man answered and allowed them into his home at which point officers uncovered a large cannabis farm in one of the bedrooms.
They also uncovered packaged drugs in the fridge freezer that they suspected were being sold to drug users in the area.
The 44-year-old man was arrested and now the officers have been praised for using their initiative to track down the illegal drugs operation.
Detective Inspector Ash Loader, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was a great example of officers using their initiative to locate an illegal drugs operation.
“They have been deployed in the area to carry out speed checks to support the NPCC operation that was launched this week but their main objective will always be to prevent and detect crime.
“Rather than continue to carry out the speed checks they have used their initiative to locate the smell of the drugs and talk their way into the address.
“That has resulted in a significant seizure of cannabis plants as well as packaged drugs that were clearly destined for the streets of Newcastle.
“We are committed to tackling organised crime and this shows that we will always take an opportunity to disrupt suspected drug dealers operating in our communities.
“Catching speeding motorists and busting a cannabis farm is a good day’s work for these officers and that should be of great comfort to residents in our city.”
The 44-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Anyone who wants to report drug activity in their community is encouraged to do so by reporting online at the Northumbria Police website.
You can also call police on 101 or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.
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