Two men arrested in connection with cannabis factory in Tunstall    

TWO men are being quizzed by police after officers seized 1,000 cannabis plants in a raid.

The pair, aged 36 and 41, were arrested yesterday following the execution of a warrant at an abandoned pottery factory in Pinnox Street, Tunstall.

They remained in police custody last night.

Officers from Staffordshire Police carried out the raid at 12.35pm and, after forcing their way inside, found the drugs den and plants.

A police spokesman said: "Officers carried out the search and discovered a cannabis factory.

"It is believed to contain around 1,000 plants and an investigation is now underway.

"Due to suspected electricity interference at the property, colleagues from the electricity board were in attendance to make the property and electricity supply safe."

Residents of Pinnox Street spoke of their shock about the discovery.

Geoff Hill, 73, said: "It doesn't surprise me at all this raid has happened. All manner of things go on this street, but the people causing them are never turfed out.

"I was just returning home when the police arrived ready to block the road.

"The building they were using used to be a pot bank, then a hairdressers. Now it's a 'pot factory'."

Margaret Bolton, aged 60, who works nights at ASDA, said: "I heard the ruckus, which woke me up and then I came down to see the police and fire brigade on the doorstep.

"It is a big concern for residents now.

"The place had been shut down for months, so many of us are wondering how they got into it.

"I've lived here for 38 years and I've never seen anything like this.

"I can't believe how close it is to our homes - it's a scary thought."

Mum-of-two Anne-Marie Thomas, aged 30, said: "We always fear what will happen next. We shouldn't have to put up with things like this.

"This is not somewhere to raise children. We can't live like this. I don't want my children to have to see things like this."

Charlotte Taylor, 30, said: "I've lived here for four years and it was common knowledge something was going on in the building.

"There were certain times of the year when you could smell the weed.

"Even though it doesn't surprise me, it was still a shock seeing the fire engine turn up and people battering the door down."

Jordan Holland, aged 17, said: "It is unbelievable. This was all going on under our noses - no one expected anything like this to happen.

"I haven't really seen anything suspicious going on there, so I didn't have clue. The building has looked empty for months."

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/men-arrested-connection-cannabis-factory-Tunstall/story-21453780-detail/story.html 12/07/2014