UK Town Has So Many Cannabis Farms They're Causing Power Cuts
A town in the UK has so many cannabis farms that they're causing power cuts.
Drug dealers in the north of England have been rinsing the area's electricity supply as they rake in millions.
Police have recently been cracking down on criminals, shutting down 61 cannabis farms and seizing 6,797 plants with a street value of £6.8million in Rotherham since October last year.
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Operation Grow also saw officers arrest 25 suspected drug producers working for 17 gangs in the South Yorkshire town, with 10 prosecuted and two jailed.
According to local MP Sarah Champion, the countless cannabis farms were blowing the electric 'sometimes four-times-a-day'.
She said: "Firstly from the anti-social behaviour associated with it and criminal gangs having turf wars."
Discussing the outages, Ms Champion added: "It's been a nightmare."
Local residents have spoken out about the stress of constantly going without power.
"It was every day. No cooking, no cleaning, no radiators, because the gas boiler uses electricity," one person told the Star.
"You couldn't do anything, just wait for them until they turn it back on. But I'm not going to report it because I'm not a snitch.’’
Mohammad Mubashar said he and his family were forced out of their home when the power cut.
The 20-year-old said: "I've got to get them up with an alarm, feed them, bath them. So I had to go to my sister.
"My lights were like a Christmas tree going on and off."
District police commander Chief Superintendent Steve Chapman said it was vital the police got the situation under control.
He said: "People involved in the production and supply of drugs have a detrimental impact on the local area.
"The power cuts were a real issue in the community; not only that, but the organised criminals behind most of these setups take advantage of society’s most vulnerable who are often coerced and forced in to harbouring drugs.
"Where drugs are, you are certain to find gang rivalry, violence and exploitation and we are going in hard in a bid to disrupt the supply chain
"We are working with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to issue prohibition notices on any particularly problematic premises. The partnership is also educating landlords on how to safeguard their properties from being targeted by those wishing to grow and store drugs."
Chief Supt Chapman assured people that his force would continue to shut down farms.
He went on: "This is ultimately all about preventing future crimes on our streets and making Rotherham inhabitable for dealers and organised criminals
"Gang crime and serious violence ruins too many lives and we are doing all we can to intervene early and target drugs as the root cause.
"My ask of the public is to support us in our efforts, report any concerns and help us to keep Rotherham a safe place to live.
"Cannabis farms are not only illegal, they are incredibly dangerous and present a substantial fire risk due to electricity being bypassed. If you have any concerns about the production, storage and supply of drugs, please report these to police
"Alternatively, you can pass information to the independent charity Crimestoppers and remain completely anonymous. Their number is 0800 555 111."
Northern Powergrid, which supplies the town's electricity, said it had been cooperating with the authorities over the outages.
A spokesperson said: "We're working closely with South Yorkshire Police after power cuts in the local area were caused by suspicious overload activities."
Dominic Smithers