'Multiple people' arrested on suspicion of human trafficking after police uncover cannabis farms in Blackpool

'Multiple people' have been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking after police uncovered two cannabis farms in Blackpool.
By Matthew Calderbank
Published 22nd Sep 2020, 11:15 GMT
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Officers with Blackpool Task Force and the resort's neighbourhood policing team conducted raids at two addresses this morning (September 22).

Lancashire Police said the raids were conducted alongside staff from Blackpool Council and its 'vulnerability team', after warrants were secured yesterday.

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The location of the cannabis farms have not been provided by police at this stage.

Officers with Blackpool Task Force and the resort's neighbourhood policing team conducted raids at two addresses this morning (September 22)Officers with Blackpool Task Force and the resort's neighbourhood policing team conducted raids at two addresses this morning (September 22)
Officers with Blackpool Task Force and the resort's neighbourhood policing team conducted raids at two addresses this morning (September 22)

The force said "multiple people" have been arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and human trafficking.

It is not clear at this stage whether any victims of human trafficking have been rescued from the two sites.

Lancashire Police have been approached for more information.

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This morning, a spokesman for Blackpool Police posted on Facebook: "Busy start of the week for Blackpool Task Force working with Blackpool NHP, Blackpool vulnerability team and Blackpool Council.

"We have conducted two warrants and discovered large mature cannabis farms.

"Multiple people have been arrested for cannabis cultivation and human trafficking.

"These cannabis farms are not victimless crimes, they are funding organised crime and are leading to vulnerable people being trafficked into modern slavery from countries as diverse as Vietnam, Bulgaria and even from our own communities."