Cannabis worth £7.1m found in derelict Wick High School
Seven people have been arrested and charged in connection with the find
Drugs recently recovered from an old Caithness secondary school has an estimated street value of more than £7 million.
Police executed a warrant at the former Wick High School on West Banks Avenue, which has been empty since 2017, on January 28th.
A "sophisticated cannabis farm" was found which included around 6,000 plants and dried cannabis with a potential street value of £456,000.
Seven people, aged between 17 and 46, have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
They appeared at Wick Sheriff Court over two days on January 30th and February 3rd.
Partner agencies and local community thanked by police
A Police Scotland statement said: "Cannabis with an estimated street value of £7.1million has been discovered at a derelict school in Wick.
"On Thursday, 29 January, 2026, officers acting on intelligence executed a warrant at a building on West Bank Avenue.
"A sophisticated cannabis farm was found including over 5,900 plants and dried cannabis with a potential street value of £456,000.
"Two men, aged 44 and 27, and a 17-year-old male youth were arrested and charged in connection.
"They appeared at Wick Sheriff Court on Friday, 30 January, 2026.
"A further four men, aged 46 and 35, 23 and 23, were also arrested and charged in connection.
"They appeared at the same court on Tuesday, 3 February, 2026."
Detective Inspector Phoebe McDaid added: "This is a very significant recovery and an example of our efforts to disrupt the activities of those involved in the supply of illegal drugs.
“We’d like to thank our partner agencies for their cooperation in ensuring this operation was a success, as well as the local community for their patience and understanding while enquiries were carried out.
“Drugs cause misery in our communities and the public has an important role to play in helping Police Scotland target those responsible for the cultivation, supply and sale of illegal substances.
"Anyone with any information or concerns about drugs in their community can call Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”