Last updated at 15:43, Thursday, 14 February 2013

EAGLE-EYED residents looking out for their community have been praised by police after an anonymous tip-off led to officers busting a £20,000 cannabis farm.

CACHE Some of the drugs seized during a raid on a property in Lowick Green. Right: Sgt Rupert Johnston

An anonymous call sparked a covert operation that culminated in Ulverston police discovering a sophisticated drug operation.

Officers forced their way into a property in Lowick Green and discovered a substantial amount of the class B substance in a barn attached to the premises.

Images taken by police officers at the scene show a carefully set-up operation, geared to harvesting a number of crops.

Inside the barn were a number of heating and lighting devices, which would provide the conditions necessary to grow the illegal drug.

The walls were lined with foil, which helps retain heat.

The pictures also show a large quantity of what appears to be harvested cannabis, packaged in plastic bags.

Sergeant Rupert Johnston said his team had to make sure it was well-informed before it could get a warrant to search the property. He said: “Some local intelligence came in and then we did some covert police work to confirm the intelligence.”

Police have to have solid evidence to support their suspicions before a magistrate will grant a warrant such as this one.

And Sgt Johnston praised the impact of the anonymous caller in assisting the police in their work.

He said the cannabis farm appeared to have been well-organised and quite sophisticated.

He added: “It would appear he had just finished one particular crop.”

Following the raid, officers arrested a 48-year-old male on suspicion of supplying cannabis.

He was interviewed and placed on police bail until April 17 while inquiries continue.

Sgt Johnston said he was keen to highlight the dangers of drugs and the impact they can have on people’s lives.

Anybody who has information about people who they think may be producing or selling drugs is asked to ring police on 101.

First published at 16:26, Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk