A major drugs operation has been dismantled after police discovered a £1.4 million cannabis farm hidden inside a disused snooker hall in Masbrough
Officers from Rotherham Central Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) made the discovery after executing a drugs warrant at the disused snooker hall in Masbrough formerly known as The Club.
The warrant was prompted by reports from power companies of frequent power outages in the area – often a sign of illegal electricity bypassing associated with cannabis cultivation.
When officers arrived at the premises, they found all entrances barricaded with furniture, radiators, and even snooker tables.
Several fake walls had also been constructed in an apparent attempt to conceal the operation. However, with support from the Operational Support Unit, police forced entry and found more than 1,400 cannabis plants growing inside.
Inspector John Crapper of the Rotherham Central NPT said: “Cannabis is not a harmless drug – it is linked to organised crime and results in the exploitation of vulnerable people. This large-scale cultivation contained over £1 million worth of drugs which would have likely funded organised criminality. It is important people are aware of the connection between illegal drugs and violent crime.”
The warrant was part of Operation Grow, an ongoing initiative targeting cannabis farms across Rotherham.
