MARGATE — A joint operation between Kent Police and Thanet District Council has disrupted a suspected organized crime network following the discovery of a large-scale cannabis factory in Cliff Terrace.
On Monday, January 5, authorities uncovered the cultivation site while investigating reports of fly-tipped drug-growing equipment in the district. The discovery led officers to a property that had been entirely converted for the production of Class B drugs.
Upon entry, police discovered that the building’s electrical system had been illegally bypassed and tampered with. The interference was severe enough to require emergency repairs to prevent a potential fire from spreading to adjacent homes.
Once the site was declared structurally safe, neighbourhood policing teams moved in to dismantle the operation. The seizure included:
- Approximately 150 cannabis plants at various stages of growth.
- Industrial-grade ventilation fans and lighting systems.
- Specialized cultivation equipment and hardware.
The raid is being treated as a significant blow to local organized criminality. Inspector Richard Batten emphasized that the partnership between the council and law enforcement was instrumental in identifying the site before it could pose a further hazard to the community.
“Working with partners allows us to share information which has resulted in us dismantling a criminal cultivation,” Batten stated. He noted that the operation not only disrupted criminal activity but also removed a significant safety risk to residents living nearby.
No arrests have been announced yet, and the investigation into the production of Class B drugs remains active. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding suspicious activity or potential drug dealing to come forward.