Massive Cannabis Factory Uncovered in Birmingham Raid
West Midlands Police have dismantled one of the largest cannabis farms ever discovered in the force's history during a major raid in Birmingham. The operation on Grove Lane in Lozells revealed an industrial-scale growing operation that police described as a central supply hub for other cannabis farms across the West Midlands region.
The Scale of the Operation
Officers discovered a staggering 9,488 cannabis plants inside the property when they executed the warrant on November 19. The force estimated the potential street value of the seized drugs at approximately £9.5 million.
The sophisticated setup included thousands of plants at various growth stages, all cultivated under artificial lighting in pots. Police found particularly significant evidence in the form of propagators - devices acting as mini greenhouses - containing hundreds of baby plants believed to be intended for distribution to other growing sites.
Arrests and Investigation
Following the raid, five men were arrested and taken into custody. The suspects, aged 21, 32, 32, 36, and 37, were detained on suspicion of multiple offences including:
- Cultivating cannabis
- Burglary
- Possessing a Class B drug
All five individuals have since been released on bail as police continue their investigations into what they describe as a major organised crime operation.
Police Reaction and Impact
A West Midlands Police spokesperson emphasised the significance of the discovery, stating it represented one of the biggest cannabis plant seizures ever within the force. Sergeant Cheema, commenting on the operation's success, described it as an absolutely fantastic outcome for our team.
A major supply network has been disrupted which would have supplied cannabis across the West Midlands area,
he added, highlighting how the Lozells factory served as a distribution centre feeding smaller operations throughout the region.
The police confirmed that the investigation remains active as they work to identify and dismantle the wider criminal network connected to this substantial growing operation.
