Police raid cannabis farms in Chester

May 30 2008 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

POLICE are investigating two ‘cannabis factories’ discovered in the leafy suburbs of Chester being run by Chinese suspected illegal immigrants.

The authorities were alerted to the first house in Green Lane, Vicars Cross, last Friday after the occupant caused a fire by overloading the electrics to supply high-powered lighting. He is missing and wanted by police.

The next day, a landlord discovered a cannabis factory at his property in Cotebrook Drive, Upton, and apprehended 46-year-old Ming Zhou – although an accomplice escaped.

Zhou, who told police he is an illegal immigrant, has been charged with being concerned in the production of cannabis and remanded in custody.

Police are investigating a possible connection between the two addresses.

Inspector Ian Thorp said there had been raids on properties in the rural area and suspects the cultivation of cannabis is also on the increase in suburbia. He is asking letting agents and residents to be on the look out for suspicious signs.

He said: “Are people living a normal life-style and routine? Is electrical equipment being unloaded into the premises? Are the curtains drawn all the time?

“It’s interesting that we have had two this weekend in the nicer parts of the city at properties rented out via letting agents.

“We need to try and get intelligence and sow the seeds in the minds of residents who live in these areas and letting agents to try and identify potential criminals.”

Inspector Thorp said illegal immigrants were difficult to track down because they did not exist on any databases.

John Davies, who lives next to the Green Lane property, rang the fire service last Friday after spotting smoke coming from the garage.

Every room in the house except for one bedroom and the kitchen was full of cannabis plants.

The Upton cannabis factory is opposite the home of a serving police constable.

One resident said he had seen “two Chinese-looking guys” visiting the house over the past month.

“They always reversed the car up to the door. I thought they were workmen. In 40 years of living here this is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened.”