Hundreds of bags of compost seized from a huge cannabis factory in Soham have been donated to a charity.
Officers discovered almost 7,000 plants and around 5,000 root balls when they stumbled on the enterprise in Regal Drive on Thursday night (May 29).
Officers had been on patrol in Fordham Road when they noticed the smell of the drug. They forced entry to the building and discovered the factory – one of the largest ever found in Cambridgeshire.
Several hundred bags of compost were also recovered from the site which have now been donated to Emmaus Cambridge.
The charity supports formerly homeless people by giving them a place to live and work. The compost will be used to support projects such a fruit and vegetable garden they are creating.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary drugs expert, Gavin Guy said: “This was a huge cannabis factory and we discovered a large number of sealed bags which were obviously going to be used to cultivate later crops of the drug.
“It would have been a shame to have had to throw it all away, so we contacted Emmaus to see if they could make use of it. We were delighted when they said yes and it is fitting that some good can come out of this.”
Emmaus Cambridge director, Diane Docherty said: “We received a call from officers telling us that they had raided a cannabis farm in Soham and had discovered hundreds of bags of unused, good quality compost, which had obviously been purchased to nourish the plants.
“They asked us if we would like it, as they were going to have to dispose of it. We jumped at the chance, as we have large grounds where we are starting to grow more of our own food, here at our community in Landbeach.
“This scenario demonstrates perfectly the excellent links that we enjoy with Cambridgeshire Constabulary. They have stopped this factory in its tracks, and at Emmaus Cambridge we often support former drug users by giving them a place to live and work as they recover.”
Emmaus Cambridge gives 29 formerly homeless people a place to call home, and work in the community’s large scale charity shops and café.
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