Gone to pot

Sep 4 2008 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Gone to pot

A CANNABIS factory is believed to have been discovered in Colwyn Bay this week.

Neighbours living on Victoria Avenue were shocked when officers raided the home with battering rams and seized an unknown quantity of the class C drug together with other items of paraphernalia.

The operation was carried out after a warrant was executed on Tuesday afternoon under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Police confirmed cannabis was found.

It is believed the drugs haul was discovered by firefighters called to the property on Monday evening. North Wales Fire Service confirmed two fire engines from Colwyn Bay station attended a house fire on Victoria Avenue just after 5.30pm on Monday. The fire service said a bucket was used to extinguish a blaze which had set fire to 15 square metres of floorboards.

A 44-year-old woman was arrested at the address on Victoria Avenue following the police raid, but was later released on bail. Police are investigating.

Cllr Chris Hughes says residents on the street have had concerns for some time about illegal drugs operating in the area.

“As far as I understand from local residents a fire broke out at the property, the fire brigade attended and they found a quantity of plants. The police were then called,” he said.

“I know residents have been expressing concern about drugs in the area for quite some time. We’ve been asking for a meeting with the inspector and this highlights our concerns.”

Insp Jane Banham claimed the discovery was the result of good community relations: “The warrant was a result of information provided by the community and intelligence gathered by the local policing team and I hope this reassures the public that if they provide us with good information we will act on it in a positive manner.

“This sends out a clear message that the communities of North Wales will not tolerate this behaviour and that we will continue to deal with drugs offences and associated crime in a robust manner.”

Anyone wishing to report concerns about illegal drugs can contact the neighbourhood policing team or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.