WEST NORFOLK: Man in custody after early morning raid on village cannabis factory

A 17-year-old male is this morning in police custody after being arrested at the scene of a cannabis factory in a village outside King s Lynn. Police were alerted to an insecure property in St Mary s Close, South Wootton, by a member of the public at 1.30

A 17-year-old male is this morning in police custody after being arrested at the scene of a cannabis factory in a village outside King's Lynn.

Police were alerted to an insecure property in St Mary's Close, South Wootton, by a member of the public at 1.30pm yesterday.

A search warrant was subsequently carried out by officers from the specialist CID tactical crime team. Inside they discovered a sophisticated cannabis operation in place throughout the two-storey house - including in the loft.

The teenager, a Vietnamese national, was arrested at the address and is currently in custody pending further enquiries.

During the course of the evening, police removed an estimated 300 cannabis plants from the property which could have been used to produce illegal drugs worth tens of thousands of pounds on the street.

King's Lynn and West Norfolk Superintendant Nick Davison said: "A tip off from a member of the public led to a search warrant revealing a drugs factory hidden in the middle of an otherwise respectable residential area.

"We rely on local communities to be our eyes and ears and Norfolk Constabulary will take robust action against anyone involved in the production or sale of illegal drugs. I'd like to thank all the local residents who assisted officers during this operation."

To report suspected criminal activity in your community call the Norfolk Constabulary non-emergency number on 0845 456 4567.