Officers uncover million pound drugs farm in former Rotherham snooker hall

Several fake walls had been created inside the building in a bid to hide the drugs growing operation

Police cutting into shutters at the former snooker hall
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 13th May 2025

Police have uncovered a cannabis farm worth over a million pounds at a disused snooker hall in Rotherham.

Officers raised the premises in Ferham after local businesses and residents complained of power cuts, a sign electricity in the area is being bypassed.

Barricades and fake walls had been created inside in an attempt to hide the farm and prevent officers gaining access.

Inside police located over 1,400 plants, worth an estimated £1.4 million.

All have been seized and destroyed.

South Yorkshire Police Inspector John Crapper said:

"Cannabis is not a harmless drug – it is linked to organised crime and results in the exploitation of vulnerable people."

"This large-scale cultivation contained over £1 million worth of drugs which would have likely funded organised criminality. It is important people are aware of the connection between illegal drugs and violent crime.

"This warrant is part of Operation Grow which is our ongoing work to tackle cannabis farms in Rotherham.

"We will carry on gathering intelligence and working with partners to tackle this issue."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.