Police uncover £500,000 drug-producing factory
Police discovered the full-scale commercial enterprise during the dramatic drugs bust at a remote farm near Luxulyan last Tuesday.
At the scene they arrested a 25-year-old man, who has since been charged with the production of a Class C drug and is currently on police bail.
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary's senior inspector for mid-Cornwall Jim Pearce said: "We are currently investigating and have more work to do.
"At this stage we can't say much more, but we would like people to know we consider drug offences very seriously and won't tolerate this kind of crime."
In one isolated building police discovered 50 cannabis plants which would have produced drugs with a street value of around £23,500.
In another barn they found benches, a hydroponic watering system, ventilation, and specialised lighting, which it is thought had been used to grow cannabis plants on a substantial scale.
In the farmhouse they also seized a sack of white powder, suspected to be a Class A drug, which could have a street value of around £33,500.
Insp Pearce said: "A great deal of money has been spent on the site, which is a highly organised and carefully planned commercial enterprise, capable of earning hundreds of thousands of pounds.
"The location is not being revealed at the moment, but though it's remote, people out for a walk may have passed it.
"With this crime as with any other, we would ask people to make a note of anything suspicious they see, including vehicle registration numbers, and either report the information to police on 08452 777444 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
"They can be assured they can give us information in confidence and we shall act upon it."
Police believe the cannabis factory may have been in operation for a while. They are not yet sure how many people were involved, but are confident that more arrests will be made. They also believe that most of the cannabis grown would have been sold upcountry.
Insp Pearce said: "Enquiries are ongoing, but the scale of the production suggests this was intended for wider distribution than Cornwall. Cornwall is a very safe place to live and does not have a major problem with drugs.
"Police take all drugs seriously, and though cannabis is now a Class C drug, the Government is seriously thinking about reclassifying it as Class B.
"It's not only the negative effects on users' health that matters, but also the acquisitive crime associated with it. The manufacture and sale of drugs has an effect on us all, which is why it's important to put a stop to factories such as this."
