POLICE are jubilant after dismantling a dangerous cannabis factory in Co Derry and hitting a drug gang in their pockets.
Detectives from the PSNI’s Reactive and Organised Crime Branch disrupted the cannabis cultivating operation following a raid of a property in the Deramore Heights area of Magherafelt on Thursday afternoon.
Cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of £115,000 were recovered.
Detective Inspector Trevor Stevenson said: “I would like to thank the local community for their support which resulted in this factory being discovered and dismantled.
“No arrests have been made at this stage, however, police remain at the scene carrying out a detailed forensic analysis of the premise and investigations are ongoing.
“The electricity supply at the property had been tampered with and it was full of electric fans and heaters, which, combined with water, is an obvious fire risk.
“Put all of these ingredients together and you have a recipe for disaster. You have a great potential for destruction of property, serious injury, even death.
“As this incident illustrates, when the community works alongside police, successes can be made against the drugs gangs.
“I encourage anyone with any information about the use or supply of illegal drugs to contact police on 101 to enable us to continue taking these incredibly harmful substances off our streets.
“Information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”