PICTURES: Police seen investigating site of alleged cannabis farm in Wick at former government offices
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After yesterday's arrest of a 46-year-old man in connection with an alleged cannabis farm in Wick, police were witnessed investigating the site of the operation in Girnigoe Street today (January 28).
A female officer was seen in a vehicle guarding buildings at the rear of the town's former Job Centre and was relieved by a male officer at 2.30pm today. A door of the former government buildings had a glass panel smashed in and a road leading to the area was cordoned off by tape bearing the warning "Police Line Do Not Cross".
The former Job Centre in front appears to be operating as a mosque.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “An investigation is under way 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."
Crimesoppers UK states that "cannabis cultivation" refers to the practice and process of producing cannabis flowers.
It adds: "Cannabis farms are very dangerous places and pose a serious risk of fire. Often the electricity meter has been bypassed and overloaded electrical circuits run close to water-filled pipes. Plants grown upstairs in a building can also cause floorboards to rot, presenting the danger of collapse.
"In addition, it is also important to consider that sometimes the people working in the ‘farms’ are victims of human trafficking and working against their will."