Arrests as police uncover cannabis farm worth £500k in Bury

Greater Manchester Police uncovered the farm while out on patrol under the force’s "Operation Heartbeat" scheme – which has seen extra police patrols in Bury town centre.

Officers say they were drawn to the Bury town centre property after catching a strong smell of cannabis.

Police forced entry and discovered the cannabis farm, which was said to contain 554 cannabis plants at varying stages of growth.

The farm was said to have an approximate street value of £500,000, according to Bury Police.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.

In a post on Facebook, GMP said the men had “lost a game of hide and seek inside the property".

Two men were arrested after they 'lost a game of hide and seek inside the property', police said (Image: GMP)

The force added: “Cannabis enables and funds further criminality and serious organised crime, if you know of a property that you suspect of being used to cultivate cannabis report it to us via 101 or Crimestoppers!”

Cannabis is considered a Class B drug in the United Kingdom. Those found possessing the drug can be imprisoned for up to five years, receive an unlimited fine, or both.

Those caught supplying or producing cannabis can be imprisoned for up to 14 years, receive an unlimited fine, or both.

Since November 2018, cannabis can be prescribed medicinally in the UK by a registered specialist doctor.

According to the NHS, “very few people” in England are likely to get an NHS prescription for medical cannabis.

Those with rare, severe forms of epilepsy, adults with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy, and those with muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis are those most likely to receive a prescription for the drug.

The NHS says regular use of THC cannabis products carry risks including psychosis or a small risk of becoming dependent on the medicine.

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