Residents provide police with vital information resulting in four cannabis factory closures

Around £1m of cannabis has been taken off the streets after four operations were closed in Forest Fields and New Basford in a matter of months.

Officers were able to build up a strong intelligence picture on all four properties thanks to members of the community coming forward with information.

The most recent cannabis factory closure was in Gawthorne Street in New Basford where 131 plants were discovered across four bedrooms.

Police entered the address on Monday 9 September just before 1pm.

They found cannabis plants in four rooms and the electricity bypassed, making it extremely dangerous for other residents on the street.

Officers also attended an address in Premier Road in Forest Fields on Saturday 7 September just before 11am.

They found that the cellar and upper rooms had been converted into a cannabis factory consisting of 268 plants. The electricity had also been bypassed.

Eddison Kasa, aged 24, of Premier Road, has been arrested and charged with the cultivation of cannabis. He has been remanded into custody.

Officers also attended two other addresses in July and August thanks to community intelligence.

They visited an address in Sturton Street in New Basford on Friday 16 August just after 12.30pm.

They found rooms decked in cannabis plants, 345 in total. The electricity had been bypassed.

Officers also entered an address in Stanley Road in Forest Fields on Thursday 11 July just before 7pm. They discovered 280 plants.

Inquiries are ongoing into these operations to ensure arrests are made.

Sergeant Mark Southgate said:

“Firstly, I would like to thank the community for coming forward and providing vital information.

“It is this information that helps us build up a picture of what is happening and allows us to take enforcement action to ensure these criminal enterprises are no longer on your streets.

“Residents don’t want these properties on their streets. They don’t want to live next to the criminal behaviour these properties attract.

“Cannabis factories are extremely dangerous. Bypassed electricity poses a significant danger to other residents if a fire breaks out. 

“While we are glad four properties no longer house these operations, our commitment to tackling this problem does not end here.

“We will continue to target anyone who thinks they can prosper from setting up drug operations in our city.

“Please keep feeding us this information and I can assure you we will act.”

Anyone worried about a potential cannabis factory on their streets can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.