Cannabis farm found after police attend burglary

May 29 2009 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A CANNABIS farm was discovered in a Tyneside home yesterday – the latest of a line of DIY drugs factories found in the region.

Plants with an estimated value of £175,000 were found in the house on Woodburn Avenue in Fenham, Newcastle.

Police were called to the street in the early hours of yesterday morning after it was reported two men were breaking in to a house. When officers arrived, the two men fled the scene.

Shortly afterwards, a 42- year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of burglary.

Police then forced entry to the house in Woodburn Avenue and found a 17-year-old youth and a large cannabis farm. Inside the property were around 300 plants and growing equipment.

Police said the 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the production of the drugs.

Neighbour and mum-of-one Anne Fitzsimmons, 45, said the house had been repossessed and then sold, but she did not know who lived there.