Weed Them Out
Police have uncovered over 200 large scale cannabis cultivations in Scotland since 1996.
Dumfries and Galloway has not been immune to these cultivations. While most have been in the central belt of Scotland, urban criminals are now looking to rural properties to avoid detection. Over the past few years we have uncovered a number of ‘cannabis factory’ type set-ups in rural settlements.
Police hope property owners and the public are conscious of possible cannabis cultivations in the region, particular in small rural settlements, like garages, sheds or even attics.
The cost to you
Landlords and retailers should be aware of cannabis cultivations and the threats a potential factory could cause to their property.
If you unwittingly rent your property to an organised crime gang and they set up a cannabis cultivation, you could you face an average £15,000 repair bill to restore your property.
Electrical fires are a particular concern. For the plants to grow, large amounts of heating and lighting are needed. Criminals will bypass the electricity meter to maximise profits. However this also bypasses the meters built-in safety measures and increases the risk of electrical fire.
Homes used for cultivations are also prone to severe dampness and mite infestations.
The cost of stolen electricity is estimated to range between £25,000 and £250,000 every year, which must then be paid for by the public.
The illegal drug trade is big business. Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK and cultivations are a highly profitable business. Over 100,000 cannabis plants have been discovered in Scotland since 1996 and each plant can make £400 for the criminal. So if you are a landlord and meet a tenant who has no financial issues or queries about renting your property, you may need to make further checks on them. Serious organised crime groups will often rent anonymous residential or commercial properties for medium to long term periods.
How retailers can help
Criminals need to create a particular environment for cannabis plants to grow. They usually get this equipment form DIY or garden stores or from electrical suppliers to buy the fans and heaters.
Some of the most commonly used items they will buy are:
- Compost
- Plant pots and propagation trays
- Light ducting
- Extractor box fans
- Pedestal fans
- Timers
- Carbon filters
- Silver foil
- High voltage lamps
- Fuse boxes
- Plugs
- Heavy duty ducting
Signs to look out for in customers include:
- Bulk buying of these products
- Paying for items in cash
- Uplifting large quantities of products using their own means of transport
If you can advise us that these items have been bought and information on who and when, helps our investigations and prevents further cannabis cultivations in our area.
What to look for
Be on your guard. There are a number of signs to look for to prevent your property becoming illegal cannabis cultivation. Some tell-tale signs are:
- Permanently covered windows, often with foil or bin bag
- Condensation on the walls or windows
- Sweet smells or excessive use of air fresher to disguise the aroma
- Noise from fans and heaters
- Fluctuating electricity
- Vents fitted to the roof or windows
- Powerful lights on permanently
- Visitors at unusual hours
- Empty compost or fertiliser bags in the garden
Several cultivations have been identified from these signs by postal workers, refuse collectors, Neighbourhood Watch members, delivery firms and utility companies. Everyone can play a part in uncovering these factories.
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