AN ILLEGAL drugs factory in Redruth was raided on Tuesday by police who seized cannabis plants with a 'conservative' value of £100,000.

More than a dozen officers, including members of the tactical aid group, searched a house in St Day Road.

Two foreign nationals were arrested and taken to Camborne police station to be questioned.

The raid was part of Operation Hyena, a nationwide investigation targeting large-scale cannabis factories.

At the beginning of this month a raid on a bungalow at Beacon led to the seizure of cannabis plants also valued at £100,000.

Allegations

And on Friday a 25-strong police team raided a house in Redruth following allegations that a range of drugs were available inside the property.

The officers burst through the open front door shortly after dark, surprising the occupant. Some took immediate control of rooms throughout the property to prevent the disposal of evidence, while others patrolled the rear of the building to prevent any escape.

Once the building had been secured, officers carried out a painstaking search. Items and equipment associated with drugs use, along with a number of air weapons, were discovered.

People attempting to enter the building during the operation were searched and had their names taken.

The operation was led by PC Lisa Stevenson, neighbourhood beat manager for Redruth Town and North, who briefed all the officers – regulars, PCSOs and specials – prior to the raid.

She outlined details of the intelligence that had prompted the raid; described the layout of the interior of the house; gave background information on the occupants; and told her colleagues to be on the lookout for evidence of drug taking, drug manufacture and stolen goods such as mobile phones, or quantities of cash.

When the command to go was received, the team, including a dog handler and officers with equipment to break down a door, moved in swiftly.

They met with no resistance.

PC Stevenson said: "We acquired a drugs warrant to go in.

"The raid was carried out because of information received and because of our concerns about the impact of drugs on the local community. We really want to get the message across that under no circumstances will drugs be tolerated.

"We hope that operations like this will have a snowball effect and encourage people to ring in with their concerns so that we can investigate them."