Eight arrested after two cannabis farms, one worth around '£150,000', uncovered by Blackpool police

Officers barged into an industrial unit in Wakefield Road on Monday (September 21) following intelligence the address was being used to cultivate a cannabis farm.

Around 300 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £150,000 were recovered, with police making several arrests at the scene.

A second cannabis grow of 100 cannabis plants was also unearthed by police during a raid at a property in George Street, Blackpool.

Six men and two teenagers were arrested by police in connection with drugs and human trafficking offences.

Det Sgt Steve Montgomery, of the Blackpool Criminal Exploitation Team, said: "These raids follow a major investigation by police in Blackpool targeting human trafficking and cannabis production offences.

"This operation has been on-going since July and has resulted in a number of arrests and the recovery of a significant amount of cannabis.

"We are committed to tackling drugs supply and exploitation of all kinds and we continue to work proactively to put an end to modern slavery.

The eight people arrested include:

- A 61-year-old man, from Cleveleys, on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug and human trafficking.

- A 43-year-old man, from Blackpool, on suspicion of producing a controlled drug and human trafficking.

- A 27-year-old man, of no fixed address, on suspicion of producing a controlled drug.

- A 23-year-old man, of no fixed address, on suspicion of drugs production – cannabis.

- A 23-year-old man, from Bolton, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.

- A 33-year-old man, from Fleetwood, on suspicion of producing a controlled drug.

- A 16-year-old boy, of no fixed address, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.

- A 16-year-old boy, of no fixed address, on suspicion of drugs production – cannabis.

All are currently being questioned by police.

The investigation was led by officers from the Blackpool Criminal Exploitation Team, supported by Blackpool Task Force working with Blackpool Neighbourhood Police, the Blackpool vulnerability team and Blackpool Council.

Det Sgt Montgormery added: "Human trafficking can also be a part of modern slavery as a person is moved from one place to another. This could be country to country, town to town, or even as simple as one room in a building to another. Even if a victim agrees to be moved, trafficking could still be taking place.

"Unfortunately, few people understand modern slavery and many confuse it with ‘migrant working’ or ‘illegal immigration’.

"Victims are generally living in fear. They don't fully understand what's happening to them and comply with their abusers in hiding the reality. We will continue tackling this issue and want to put an end to human trafficking and modern slavery in Lancashire."

For advice and support for victims and those with suspicions, call the modern slavery helpline on 08000 121 700 or visit www.modernslaveryhelpline.org