Serious and organised crime gangs still involved in cannabis cultivation

The report, based on three years’ of data from forces across the country, also highlights commercial cultivation being used as a means to fund other criminal activity, including distribution of class A drugs, money laundering, human trafficking and illegal immigration.

On average, a quarter of a million plants with an estimated street value of over £62 million are seized by officers annually, though offences linked to the commercial cultivation of cannabis have reduced by 5 per cent in the last year.

The report also identifies that over ninety per cent of cannabis farms are being set up in residential dwellings. Cannabis factories or farms also pose a serious risk of fire hazards to nearby properties caused by bypassing electricity meters.

Offenders involved in the commercial cultivation of cannabis are white Northern European males, mostly British, though there is evidence of involvement by South Asian organised crime groups.

NPCC Lead on Cannabis, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Bill Jephson said:

“Tackling the criminals at the source of wholesale cannabis cultivation remains a key priority for us. The report highlights the links with violence, class A drugs and other serious criminality including human trafficking and modern slavery.

“Possessing, growing or selling cannabis is illegal.  The police have a wide variety of powers at their disposal tackle criminal activity involving cannabis and will not hesitate to do so where it is in the public interest.

“I hope that this profile will help police understand the latest trends in cannabis cultivation and further inform the public about the threat, harm, and risk posed by those responsible for the commercial cultivation of cannabis.

“I would also encourage the public to look out for the signs of cannabis cultivation and report anything suspicious to the police on 101.“

The report can be found here.