Sheffield cannabis farm worth £400,000 dismantled by police

Police have dismantled a cannabis farm in Sheffield city centre with a street value of £400,000.

At midday on the 27th of January, officers were called out to St James’ Street following reports a derelict building was being used to grow cannabis.

Around 400 mature plants were found in the building's basement as well as evidence that more cannabis had previously been grown there.

Police also found signs that someone had been living in the building, such as a mattress and hot food on a stove.

Officers seized the cannabis and ensured the property was made safe. Police will now destroy all the drugs.

Sergeant Simon Pickering of the Sheffield City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team said:

“There is often a misconception around cannabis setups and a tendency to overlook the dangers they pose to our communities."

“The production of cannabis often leads to the exploitation of vulnerable people, or the facilitation of illegal work."

“The profits made from its sale also contribute to funding the activity of organised crime groups operating in South Yorkshire, which is why it’s essential that we disrupt this offending with the help of our communities."

“If you think cannabis is being grown in a property near you, report it to us. Things to look out for include excessive condensation on windows, visitors to an address at unusual hours, and signs a home isn’t being lived in such as a blocked letterbox or unkept garden."

“You might see it as low-level offending, but the reality is there is a very real and immediate danger being posed to people who live nearby as electricity mains are often bypassed to hide what’s going on inside, creating a significant fire risk."

“We might not be able to immediately act on the information you provide us with, but it helps us to collate intelligence and gather evidence.”