A huge cannabis farm was discovered in a building in Westbury – after a vehicle collided with a connected electricity pylon.
Detectives have launched an investigation following the find in an old storage building in The Maltings, Westbury Leigh, last Friday night (7 January).
Firefighters and electricity firm staff became suspicious when wires attached to the pylon were found to be running into the supposedly derelict building.
When police officers entered the property they found a large-scale cannabis factory over three floors.
Detective Inspector Tom Straker, from Central CID, said: “The building was made safe over the weekend and we are now using CSI teams to record and collate the evidence, before the plants can be removed.
“We were first alerted to the property by the fire service and the electricity company who had been dealing with a fire caused by a white van which collided with a pylon.
“The vehicle was seen to drive off shortly after the collision on Friday night (07/01) and there was nobody at the premises when emergency services arrived.
“We have now begun a detailed investigation to establish who may have been involved with the setting up of this cannabis factory and people living locally will see a police presence while we conduct our enquiries.
“We would ask anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity at the premises or who may have information which could assist our enquiries to please get in touch.”
This investigation is being carried out as part of Project Optimise, which is Wiltshire Police’s approach to serious and organised crime.
Anyone with information should call Central CID on 101, quoting crime reference 54220002145. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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