Portsmouth man arrested after "large" cannabis factory discovered in sleepy Hampshire village

Officers raided an industrial unit at Hazel Road in Four Marks yesterday morning (November 24). A 25-year-old male from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

He has since been released without charge, but remains under investigation. East Hampshire Police reported on Facebook: “A large quantity of cannabis was seized for destruction.

“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. Often serious and organised crime may have connections to drug cultivation and supply on this scale. Ultimately, we’ve prevented the distribution of these drugs and disrupted this kind of organised criminality through the work we’ve been undertaking.”