No arrests made after this week’s drug raid in Wick but mystery surrounds old government buildings
After a cannabis farm was discovered at a former government office in Wick on Wednesday evening, police confirmed today (June 13) that no arrests have been made.
Witnesses saw officers from around eight police vehicles conduct the drugs raid at the empty building on Girnigoe Street just after 6pm on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 6.15pm on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, officers attended a disused premises on Girnigoe Street, Wick.
“A cannabis cultivation was discovered within, and enquiries are ongoing.”
When asked on Friday morning if there were any updates on the matter, Police Scotland confirmed that no arrests had been made and that “our previous line still stands”.
When the article was posted on the paper’s Facebook page, some believed it was “old news” based on a drug bust at the same location in January 2023.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said at the time: “An investigation is underway after a man was arrested and charged with drugs offences in Wick. Around 3.15pm on Friday, 27 January, 2023, police were called to a report of a disturbance. On arrival, officers discovered a cannabis cultivation site. A 46-year-old has been arrested and charged for drugs offences. He is due to appear at Wick Sheriff Court on Monday, 30 January, 2023."
Norwich man Amarildo Hate (49) subsequently appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court facing a charge of producing a controlled drug and being in the supply of drugs.
He made no plea, and his case was committed for further examination. Hate was released on bail pending a future court appearance but failed to appear at Wick Sheriff Court on May 14, 2024, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Posters on the windows and doors of the buildings appear to show it has been operating as a mosque but several local Muslims were asked and said they had no knowledge of it being used as a place of worship. An imam in Inverness said he also had not heard of a mosque operating in Wick. He said it would be newsworthy as it would be the most northerly mosque on the British mainland.
When the previous cannabis farm was discovered, people around Girnigoe Street said they had seen no activity in and around the buildings to suggest it was a place of worship.
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