A FORMER village Methodist church has been uncovered as the base of a £400,000 drug ‘farm’.
More than 1,000 cannabis plants were found by police during a raid at Chantry House in Winsford Road, Wettenhall.
Chinese immigrant Li Dan, 37, has been jailed for his part as the ‘gardener’ in an operation which has shocked the community.
Cholmondeston and Wettenhall Parish Council chairman Bradley Park said: “I was very alarmed to hear of this.
“We’re a just a little backwater, a nice Cheshire farming community. This is certainly not a hotspot for crime, just the odd bit of petty theft. People in the area were very shocked that such a big operation was taking place.”
PC Dave Storey, who led the police investigation, said: “This case should serve as a warning to anyone wishing to benefit from the cultivation and sale of cannabis.
“It was one of the biggest operations discovered in Cheshire and would have made in excess of £500,000 had it been allowed to continue.”
