Cannabis Factories cracked in Residential Brum.

If you were thinking of trying your hand at a little gardening of the green bud variety, then here’s the warning: now is not a good time. Recent reports have revealed how residential streets in Birmingham are being targeted for police raids after cannabis plants were found growing repeatedly on a “factory” scale. During the past five years, over 500 houses were raided in the suburban areas of the West Midlands, in which entire properties were found to have been devoted to the cultivation of the drug. Plants discovered towering from floor to ceiling in every room were thought to generate an income of between £80,000 and £160,000 per flowering season for a single semi-detached property. The problem has afflicted inner city areas in the past, but now is predominantly located in affluent neighbourhoods; lately our very own Edgbaston being one of the regions involved.
Described as “indoor greenhouses” by police, the chief method of detection is to employ helicopters with infra-red technology to spot residences emitting excessive heat (as a result of the high-powered light bulbs used). Yet this is not a foolproof method. One factory was only discovered after a neighbour noticed unusual amounts of condensation in the upstairs windows and eventually alerted the landlady. Analysis of energy consumption may also provide clues to police, although incidents have shown growers stealing electricity in the attempt to avoid huge bills by wiring themselves up to the mains.
The reason behind such an increase in home grown cannabis is thought to be the perceived risk-reduction in comparison to smuggling the stuff over illegally. But as police step up the mark, this is likely to diminish in the near-future as thousands of landlords are warned to check up on their tenants. Organised crime gangs immigrating illegally from South East Asia have found to be responsible for a large number of cannabis farms in this country, often shockingly accountable for leaving children alone in the properties to act as gardeners. Further explanations for the 5 year rise in UK cannabis farms have blamed the downgrading of the drug to class C in 2004. In light of the recent upgrade last month, politicians now hope stricter penalties will help combat the problem, yet it is questionable whether the constant yo-yoing is likely to instil much confidence in the public. My advice: leave it to the pros.