Police in Birmingham have dismantled what is believed to be the city's largest ever cannabis cultivation site, dealing a significant blow to organised criminal networks across the region.
Major Drug Bust in Grove Lane
On November 19, officers from West Midlands Police (WMP) executed a raid on a property in Grove Lane, Lozells. Inside, they discovered an extensive and sophisticated hydroponic set-up containing a staggering number of cannabis plants.
The force confirmed that a total of 9,488 plants were seized, with the haul estimated to have a potential street value of £9.5 million. This makes it one of the most substantial discoveries of its kind within the West Midlands Police area.
A Central Hub for Supply
Investigators described the operation as far more than a simple growing site. The presence of numerous propagators and hundreds of immature plants led police to believe it functioned as a "central supply factory" or hub.
This facility is thought to have been used to supply starter plants and equipment to numerous smaller cannabis farms operating across the wider West Midlands, indicating a highly organised and large-scale criminal enterprise.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
During the raid, five men, aged between 21 and 37, were arrested at the scene. They were taken into custody on suspicion of a range of offences including cultivating cannabis, burglary, and possession of a Class B drug.
All five suspects have since been released on police bail pending further enquiries as the investigation continues. Sergeant Harj Cheema stated that the operation had successfully "disrupted a major supply network."
Police have emphasised the importance of such actions in tackling the illegal drugs trade. A spokesperson for WMP described the outcome as "absolutely fantastic" for the team's efforts to break a key supply chain affecting the region.
The seizure underscores the ongoing battle against organised crime groups who use residential and commercial properties for large-scale drug production, often bringing associated criminality into local communities.
