Huge cannabis factory discovered in Andover house

A man has been arrested after officers found more than 100 cannabis plants in a house in Andover.

Police attended the house in Old Winton Road on the afternoon of Tuesday 4 January.

Inside, officers found around 120 cannabis plants in various rooms, as well as ventilation and lighting equipment.

A 34-year-old man found at the address was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of Class B and an immigration offence. He remains in police custody.

Officers will remain at the address today (Wednesday 5 January) to carry out enquiries and dismantle the site. If you are in the area and have any concerns, please speak to an officer.

Test Valley Inspector Chris Taylor said: “We take these incidents seriously as quite often the production of cannabis on this scale is linked to organised crime and hidden harm.

“Those gangs may take advantage of vulnerable people, exploiting them or making them work in servitude in squalid conditions.

“That’s why we want to hear from people who suspect there is cannabis cultivation going on in their neighbourhood. Every call will help us build a better intelligence picture so we can target our resources accordingly.

“We also would urge landlords to regularly check their properties. We often see dangerous alterations to the structure and electrics of homes that are being used to grow cannabis. This can lead to a significant financial cost to the landlord.

“We want them to check their properties regularly and report any suspicious activity as soon as possible so we can take action.”