Crackdown on cannabis cultivation in Lancashire
Friday, March 7, 2025
Lancashire Police seized drugs and cash as part of a national crackdown on cannabis cultivation.
More than 2,200 cannabis plants were seized when 14 warrants were carried out across the county recently.
The raids were part of Operation Mille which is tackling the production of cannabis in the UK by organised crime gangs.
Our officers carried out warrants in Preston, Chorley, Lostock Hall, Blackpool, Thornton Cleveleys, Blackburn and Haslingden, in late February.
At an industrial unit in Haslingden, nearly 250 cannabis plants were found in a sophisticated set-up on two floors.
Purpose built living quarters were found in the premises.
Around 100 plants were seized from a property in Thornton Cleveleys, and another 70 found at a Blackpool address.
Nine people were arrested on suspicion of drug offences as a result of the warrants carried out in Lancashire.
Detective Inspector Steven Harry of Lancashire Police, said: “We are committed to tackling cannabis cultivation and this operation is a snapshot of the ongoing work we do.
“Large cannabis growths can be traced to organised crime gangs which are heavily connected to violence, exploitation and anti-social behaviour.
“It fuels other criminal activity – county lines and other drug trafficking, modern slavery, human trafficking, the exploitation of the young and vulnerable.
“Those tasked by criminal gangs to look after cannabis grows are often vulnerable and sometimes the victims of human trafficking.
“Commercial cannabis grows can cause damage to buildings which are taken over for that purpose.
“Buildings can become dangerous as a result of fire risks, unlawful abstraction of electricity, fumes and water.”
If you want to report drug activity, please call the police on 101.
Alternatively, you can report it anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
