Significant Discovery in Burbage
Wiltshire Police have uncovered what is described as one of the largest cannabis farms ever found in the county. The operation was located within a disused poultry unit near Burbage.
Officers seized more than 1,500 plants, which carry an estimated street value of £500,000. The site had been expertly modified into a series of internal rooms, housing plants ranging from seedlings to mature bushes.
Illegal Grid Connection
Investigators discovered that the facility was powered by electricity illegally diverted from the national grid. Detectives estimate that approximately £1.5 million worth of electricity was consumed to power the extensive array of grow lamps and irrigation systems.
Detective Sergeant Joe Shanklin noted that the site included living quarters, suggesting the operation had been active for a significant period. "The scale of this operation is significant," Shanklin stated, noting that the site was expertly modified to sustain the cultivation.
Ongoing Investigation
Following the discovery on Friday 17 July, engineers were brought in to disconnect the hazardous power supply. While no arrests have been made, police enquiries remain ongoing. Specialist officers continue to clear the site, which required protective equipment due to the high temperatures and hazardous conditions within the barn.
Source: Wiltshire Police
