Suspect in court after massive cannabis grow shut down in Sherwood

Neighbourhood officers identified and shut down a massive cannabis farm within a Sherwood house.

Police found a total of 493 cannabis plants growing at different locations throughout the property in Staunton Drive.

The discovery was made while the Sherwood beat team were executing a warrant at the address on Tuesday (4 February) morning.

After forcing their way inside the house, the officers found six separate growing areas, located a suspect, and spotted the electricity had been bypassed.

All the Class B drugs and the equipment used to facilitate the grows were either seized or taken out of commission by the officers in attendance.

Albert Hatija, 28, was subsequently charged with producing cannabis and abstracting electricity, before appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (5 February).

Hatija, of Staunton Drive, was remanded into custody, ahead of his next appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on 5 March.

PC Martyn Barber, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Sherwood beat team, said:

“This warrant was executed after intelligence was gathered about the house in question being potentially involved in drugs supply.

"We’re therefore really pleased to have been able to seize such a large quantity of cannabis plants following this operation, which should serve as a good example that, where the intelligence exists, we will always strive to take action on it.

“While we obviously don’t want to see drugs in our communities, full stop, it’s also worth noting the very real fire hazard these types of grows can pose to the buildings that house them and neighbouring properties too.

“Because of this, we will continue to do everything in our powers as a neighbourhood policing team to identify and disrupt these kinds of practices and look to put any suspects before the courts.”