Giant cannabis farm discovered inside popular go-kart complex

A TOTAL of 182 plants were ripped out and 1.4kg of dried plant were seized by police in the raid near Ayr.

A GIANT cannabis farm has been found inside a popular go-karting complex.

The discovery was made by police just feet from where kids and thrill-seekers speed round the Formula 1-style racetrack.

Some plants had already been cropped and were awaiting further processing when officers raided the building.

A total of 182 plants have now been ripped out and 1.4kg of dried produce now seized.

The value of the haul on the streets is £124,000 and the brazen nature of the crooks using an active leisure attraction has left sources stunned.

The E Motion Karting centre – housed within the old Digital electronics plant at Mosshill, near Ayr – has been a hit since it opened five years ago.

But this week, nobody was answering calls at the £250,000 venue and customers trying to take advantage of time-barred special offers were left furious. We can reveal officers raided the building just before noon on Thursday after receiving a tip-off.

They found the plants being kept warm under heat lamps just feet from the 300metre kart track.

All the paraphernalia, including a make-shift electricity supply, has now been dismantled.

It is understood search warrants were issued for the homes of two bosses of the company.

Ayr Police Inspector Sean Mangan said: “Two warrants were executed, one in Perth and one in Falkirk. No arrests have been made and our inquiries are continuing.”

Before it opened in 2009, Emotion Karting chiefs claimed: “Ayrshire doesn’t have anything like it and it’s going to be a major boost for tourism in the area.

“We’ve contacted David Coulthard, Jackie Stewart and Alan McNish and hope to have some of them along for the opening.

"There will be a motor racing museum on the site as well, so this will be a place for real racing enthusiasts to come.”

The 270cc karts can hit 45mph and the track features a tunnel replicating the entrance to Monaco marina.

But the future of the centre could have gone to pot. It costs £25 for 30 minutes racing but special internet deals slash the price.

At the weekend, customer Karen Sallis said on Facebook: “I have been trying to get in touch
via phone, email and messenger for five days with no luck.

“It’s to rearrange booking for the Groupon deal that runs out on the 15th.”

And Lynn McLean added: “Vouchers bought at Christmas run out today and have been trying to contact you by phone for weeks and never any answer.

“Can you please reply to this msg! Are you open today as NO answer on phone yet AGAIN.”

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/crime/giant-cannabis-farm-discovered-inside-5197616 20/02/2015