Pubdate: Tue, 19 Feb 2008
Source: Bournemouth Daily Echo, The (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Newsquest Media Group
Contact:  http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4484
Author: Paula Roberts
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

DRUG FACTORIES A HAZARD TO US ALL

LIVES are being put at risk by people running cannabis factories 
across Bournemouth and Poole, police have warned.

At the weekend a blaze broke out in a house in Charminster which is 
believed to have been caused by the sophisticated heating and 
lighting system that had been installed in the house to grow hundreds 
of cannabis plants.

The semi-detached house in Cyril Road caught fire on Sunday morning 
and fire crews battled to stop it from spreading to other nearby houses.

Inside they discovered four rooms and the loft space were being used 
to grow cannabis.

Now police have urged the public to be vigilant and shop anyone they 
believe to be involved in the production of illegal drugs such as cannabis.

Superintendent Stuart Katon said: "Most people are aware of the 
health risks associated with taking illegal drugs.

"However, the fire in Cyril Road demonstrates the dangers involved in 
drug production.

"Individuals producing illegal substances are not only putting 
themselves at risk they are potentially increasing the risk of harm 
to other members of the community.

"Dorset Police will not tolerate the use of any premises for unlawful 
drug activity and we are determined to identify those responsible for 
this cannabis factory."

A number of cannabis factories have been closed by police in 
Bournemouth and Poole already this year as part of Operation 
Dismantle, which aims to tackle drug supply and reduce drug-related crime.

The police, supported by the Daily Echo, are encouraging members of 
the public to report any suspicious behaviour which suggests that a 
premises may be being used for unlawful drug activity.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service group manager Tim Spring highlighted 
the danger of people setting up cannabis factories and tampering with 
electricity when not qualified to do so.

He said the combination of water and electricity being used to grow 
the drug was a "natural hazard".

"This is a very dangerous practice and where properties join others 
and are unoccupied, fires can easily spread and remain undetected. 
This, in turn, might lead to a fire death or injury, which we are 
trying to reduce in the county."
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