Pubdate: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 Source: Eastern Daily Press (UK) Copyright: 2003, Archant Regional Contact: http://www.edp24.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/131 NORFOLK CANNABIS PLANTATION UNCOVERED A suspected cannabis plantation, thought to be one of the biggest found in Norfolk, has been uncovered by police acting on information from a separate investigation. The plantation, which used 'hydroponic' growing techniques such as high-power lamps, ventilation and metal-foil insulation, was found at Hill Farm, Sporle, near Swaffham. Officers who raided the chicken farm on Thursday morning found a total of 890 plants believed to be the high-strength 'skunk' variety with a street value of UKP100,000. The equipment used to grow them is believed to be worth several thousand pounds alone. Samples of the plants were taken for analysis after the operation, which involved four scenes-of-crime investigators, five detectives and two uniformed officers. Det Sgt Tom Neill, of Dereham CID, said: "The operation is one of the biggest ever found in the county. It is certainly the biggest I have ever encountered." The suspected plantation, in a barn about 50ft long, had been separated into cultivation and preparation areas. With the growth cycle of the plants lasting about eight weeks, it could produce drugs worth several hundred thousand pounds a year. A man has been arrested on suspicion of producing and cultivating cannabis. He has been released on bail pending the outcome of tests on plant samples and is due to reappear at Dereham police station in six weeks. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk