'Boutique' cannabis farm found in shipping container on Smithy Fen travellers' site in a first for Cambridgeshire  

‘Boutique' drug dealers have been growing cannabis in a shipping container in a Breaking Bad-style first for Cambridgeshire - but police swooped on the ‘skunk farm' on a travellers' site in Cottenham.

Like a scene from the US TV drama, which sees drug dealers ‘cooking' crystal meth in a trailer, the container was discovered off a dirt road amidst piles of rubbish and dumped children's toys on the edges of Smithy Fen.

Officers were on the sparsely populated travellers' site on another, unrelated job when they spotted a light coming from the metal box in Park Lane, off Setchel Drove, on the outskirts of the village.

Suspicions were raised it was being used to grow cannabis, and the officers swiftly obtained a warrant.

Cultivating cannabis in outdoor ‘factories' is known in the criminal underworld as ‘boutique' growing and officers say it is the first time the method of using shipping containers has been uncovered in the county.

A force spokesman said: "Further investigation revealed that it [the shipping container] had been set up as a cannabis factory containing around 80 plants. Enquiries are ongoing.

"We are aware that such containers have been used in other parts of the country, however have not seen such use in Cambridgeshire. We would urge people to report suspicious activity to police."

Officers applied for the warrant to enter and search the container, despite finding it in the early hours of the morning.

The ‘factory' container was swiftly dismantled 
and crime scene investigators looked for evidence. 
No arrests have been 
made but police are appealing for information from the public.

PCSO James Fuller said: "Officers on patrol in Cottenham discovered a shipping container which they suspected contained items concerned with cultivation of cannabis.

"A warrant was immediately obtained despite this being in the early hours.

"Officers were then able to enter and search the container.

"Upon entering, a large number of plants were found along with relevant equipment such as lighting and ventilation. The factory was promptly dismantled and the contents were seized for evidence."

The factory was discovered on Wednesday, June 11.

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk 24/06/2014