Four men have been arrested after police discovered a large-scale cannabis factory containing more than 1,800 plants inside an empty office building in Andover.
Officers were called to Hambledon House, Waterloo Court, at around 4pm on Monday (7 July) after members of the public reported discovering what appeared to be a cannabis cultivation operation inside the vacant premises.
When officers attended, they found more than 1,800 cannabis plants at various stages of growth throughout the building.
A 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old man, both of no fixed abode, a 25-year-old man from Oxford, and a 31-year-old man from Feltham were all arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis. They remain in police custody while enquiries continue.
Police remained at the property on Tuesday carrying out further investigations and working to secure the building and ensure it is safe.
Officers say large-scale cannabis production is often linked to organised crime groups, which frequently exploit vulnerable people and can be associated with serious violence.
They also warned that cannabis factories pose a significant fire risk due to the high electrical demand required to power lighting, ventilation and other growing equipment. Unsafe alterations to electrical systems and the structure of buildings can place neighbouring properties and lives at risk.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is urging anyone who suspects drug-related activity in their neighbourhood to report it, as information from the public helps officers build intelligence and target those supplying illegal drugs within local communities.
Landlords and property owners are also being encouraged to carry out regular inspections of vacant buildings to identify any suspicious activity or dangerous alterations before they become a serious risk.
Anyone with information about suspected drug-related activity can report it by calling police on 101 or via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website. Information can also be passed anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL BEVAN