Digbeth cannabis factory find sees six people arrested
Police discovered 200 cannabis plants after masked armed robbers were spotted on roof of unit in Allcock Street
Police discovered 200 cannabis plants after masked armed robbers were spotted on roof of unit in Allcock Street
Six people have been arrested after a rooftop raid of a cannabis factory in Digbeth.
Masked robbers armed with hammers were spotted on the roof of the unit in Allcock Street in the early hours of Tuesday hauling sacks of hash.
A nearby worker had seen the raid and alerted emergency services.
Police rushed to the scene just after midnight, and discovered 200 cannabis plants which are now set to be destroyed.
The secret site was reportedly once a UB40 sound studio.
“I came in late to fix something at work, and as I was leaving I saw some people on the roof,” said a witness.
“I took the key from the office and went up to the far end to get a better look.
“Through the window I saw them breaking in through the roof.
“They had balaclavas, hammers, and had bags in their hands, so I rang the police and told them there was a big robbery.”
The six men were then arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary, and have now been released on bail pending further inquires.
A nearby business boss added: “They were smashing in through the roof.
“When police arrived they discovered a cannabis factory.
“I believe they are now trying to trace the owners of the unit.
“I could still smell the drugs when I arrived at work at 10am.
A spokeswoman from West Midlands Police said: “Police were called at 12.40am on 18 November following a report a factory on Allcock Street had been broken into, with a number of men being spotted on the roof.
“Officers arrived and arrested six men at the premises on suspicion of burglary, who have since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
“While at the premises, officers discovered a cannabis grow of around 200 plants.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/digbeth-cannabis-factory-find-sees-8131998 19/11/2014
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