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HARLOW: Police smash drug gang
POLICE in Harlow swooped on three drug factories in the district netting more than £100,000 worth of drugs and arresting five people yesterday morning (Wednesday).
The operation, which took place at 10am, saw three houses in Old Harlow, Foldcroft and Purford Green raided by officers, who were acting on tip-offs from members of the public.
On entry they discovered that the three homes were in fact cannabis factories, containing hundreds of plants.
The scene was described by one officer at the scene as "a sea of green".
Police arrested four men and a woman, who are thought to be part of a Vietnamese gang posing as tenants.
One suspect tried to make a break for freedom in his underpants by climbing through a rear window in one of the houses, but was arrested shortly afterwards in the grounds of nearby Princess Alexandra Hospital after a short foot chase by police.
Two skips of hydroponic growing equipment were seized.
Western Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Tim Stokes appealed for the public to be vigilant in the fight against drugs.
He said: "These people have no concern for the danger they place their neighbours in. These houses have hot lights and overloaded electrical sockets to enable them to help the plants grow, which leads to house fires and endangers others."
He added that public information was essential to stopping cannabis growers.
He said: "These factories are noticeable, with people coming and going at odd times, windows blacked out to stop the lights being seen from the street, and in one example lots of mothballs round the doorway to stop the smell."
Police experts say that each fully grown plant is capable of producing £5,000 in its lifetime.
If you have noticed suspicious behaviour contact Essex Police on their new non-emergency number 0300 333 4444.
5:26pm Thursday 20th March 2008
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