Neighbours were surprised by a 'sneaky' cannabis farm on a quiet Nottinghamshire street. An address on Hendon Rise, Mapperley was raided on November 29 after investigations by Nottinghamshire Police's drone team.
Hundreds of cannabis plants were discovered and the property's electricity was bypassed by the criminals. Residents living near the farm were shocked by the discovery.
Retiree Norman Price, 60, who lives across the road from the property, said: "It is quite surprising really, but we did have another one in the old factory [at the end of the road] years ago. I did not notice anything that gave it away.
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"It could happen anywhere, people are sneaky about it. It's not something you would expect across from your house."
A neighbour said they had heard banging and noise from fans inside the makeshift cannabis farm. "You could hear something was going on in there," they said.
"Through the wall, we heard big bangs and the fan noise, which gave it away I think. It was empty for so long but then when they moved in it was quite clear something strange was happening.
"It was very busy when the police turned up, they walked in with an angle grinder to break it all down."
Margaret O'Mara, 75, a retiree who lives on Hendon Rise, added: "I did not know anything about it. It is usually very quiet up here as it is a dead end.
"There's not really any trouble. I never smelt anything that gives it away."
Eneriko Celaj, aged 23, of Hendon Rise, Mapperley, and Armando Gjonaj, 28, of no fixed address, both appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on December 1. Both men pleaded guilty to production of cannabis and were sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
Sergeant Steve Willetts, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Thanks to a report from a concerned member of the community we were able to unearth this cannabis grow, put a stop to it and put two people before the courts. We know all too well the impact cannabis grows can have on a community, leading to further criminal activity, so we will always act and investigate any reports as quickly as possible as we have shown in this instance.
“The public’s help and information they report to us is vital and can often be the difference in us arresting and finding those responsible for breaking the law. I want to ask the public to continue to contact us with any concerns or speak to officers in the area by calling 101, or in an emergency 999.”
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