"Relentlessly pursuing those that cause the most harm to our communities" - Police dismantle 800-plant cannabis factory found with a man also under arrest

Police were called by Scottish and Southern Electricity shortly after 4.45pm on Monday (November 3) to a property on West Street after concerns were raised around electrical usage at the property.

Police went to the property and found 800 cannabis plants. Officers have remained at the scene to remove the plants for destruction and carry out forensic enquiries.

A 26-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of offences including: cultivation of cannabis; supply of a Class B drug – cannabis; conspiracy to produce cannabis; acquire, use or possess criminal property; and permitting the production of cannabis. He remains in custody.

A police statement said: “We’re committed to relentlessly pursuing those that cause the most harm to our communities, the supply of drugs is one such offence and we’ve dedicated significant resources to this investigation to dismantle the factory, carry out enquiries and undertake an arrest.

“Cannabis factories of this size are unusual and can pose significant risks, including fire because of the way electricity is used. Ultimately we’ve prevented the distribution of these drugs through the work we’ve been undertaking.”

The find in Fareham follows a similar find at the former U-Need-Us shop in Arundel Street, Portsmouth, where a cannabis factory was also found. Two men were arrested. A cannabis factory was also found in a property in Henderson Road, Southsea at the weekend. Three people were arrested.