Cannabis factory discovered above Laceby takeaway

LACEBY residents have been left shocked by the discovery of a cannabis farm above a takeaway shop.

Thirty pots used for cannabis plants as well as fertiliser was removed from a flat on Caistor Road.

A single police car attended the scene on Thursday morning after being called the owner of the shop below.

It is reported that he had returned to the property above the Tuscani takeaway after the tenants had vacated to change the locks when he discovered the remains of the drugs operation.

The shop owner, who did not wish to be named, said: "I have rented the flat out.

"It appears the tenants have been very stupid and have been growing things they shouldn't have.

"Neither myself or my shop is involved in this."

Neighbour Paul Walker said: "I heard some commotion outside and saw a policewoman.

"She said that the owner of the shop had come to change the locks after the tenants had vanished to discover what appears to be a cannabis factory.

"I understand that they have also stripped the carpets out the flat and messed with the electrics to take power from the shop below.

"Apparently, they have left it in a real mess and the police have had to call out an electrician to make it safe.

"The police officer said it had all the hallmarks of a large cannabis factory which had been ongoing for some time."

Tony Fenton, a fincial advisor at Terry Donovans in Laceby, said: "You don't realise what is happening right above you.

"Everyone speaks well of the shop owner.

"I have heard it was some tenants he had who have vanished.

"We had never noticed anything strange as there are always people going into the shop as you would expect.

"We have heard that the tenants have really messed up the electrics, so much so that they have had to have them shut off so they can be fixed."

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's shocking.

"You just don't know what is happening outside your door.

"The family who run the shop are very nice and I hope it doesn't cause them any problems. I noticed there was two new people in the flat but you don't tend to notice people coming and going because you're used to the customers."

A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: "The police were called on 11.40am on Wednesday by a member of the public reporting possible harvested cannabis at a flat.

"The local Neighbourhood Policing Team attended and about 30 plant pots and fertiliser waste was found in the flat.

"The electric in the property had been tampered with."

http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk 09/08/2013