Police have disrupted the supply of an illegal class B drug after seizing hundreds of cannabis plants from a house in Saltney.

On Wednesday 5 March, officers were called to the house in Chester Street after it was discovered that the rental property was being used to grow cannabis plants and the electricity had been by-passed.

Officers remain at the scene while the plants and equipment are removed from the property.

Inspector James Wilson said: "Criminals will go to great lengths to find spaces to grow cannabis on an industrial scale, whether that's finding disused buildings or renting properties from unsuspecting landlords or property agents.

"The grows can cause costly damage to property and the electric being bypassed can put the building at risk of fire.

"We can all play our part by looking out for the essential signs a property is being used for this type of illegal activity.

"If you are renting a property out it is a good idea to make regular checks on the house and if there is anything untoward such as the tenant being uncontactable check it out.

"Those living nearby can also keep an eye out for a number of signs that a house, flat or business is being used for growing cannabis."

There are a number of signs that could indicate that a property is being used as a cannabis farm, including:

• A strong and sickly sweet smell.
• Equipment to grow cannabis being taken into a property, such as lighting and ventilation equipment.
• Constantly covered or blocked-off windows – cannabis farms often have constantly closed curtains, black-out blinds or foil coverings.
• People coming and going at all hours or neighbours you never see.
• Strong and constant lighting day and night.
• High levels of heat and condensation – cannabis farms often give off heat and the windows stay misted up.
• A constant buzz of ventilation – listen out for a whirring sound as the growers try to create an ideal climate for cannabis plants to grow.
• Lots of power cables – offenders often dig underground to lay cables that hook up to things like lamp posts so they do not have to pay for the enormous amounts of electricity they use.

To report a suspected cannabis grow or any other type of drug-related offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, give the details online via the website or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.