‘Huge’ cannabis farm found in former police station but cops arrive too late to seize the drugs

A cannabis farm that housed more than 1,000 plants has been found in an old police station, officers said. 

Greater Manchester Police noticed the former cop shop in Oldham was unsecured while on patrol and went in to investigate. 

When officers entered they found the remnants of a massive marijuana factory, complete with hydroponic equipment, soil and empty pots. 

The discovery was made yesterday morning at the former Failsworth Police Station, which was closed six years ago.

But police believe the plants had been removed from the ‘huge’ farm early on Wednesday morning, just hours before they entered the building.

Police said the farm as ‘huge’, but officers believe the cannabis plants had been removed from the property in the early hours of Wednesday morning before they entered it later that day

Root balls, soil, empty pots and light sources were all that remained in the building, which was once home to the Failsworth and Hollinwood Neighbourhood Policing Team.  

Officers spotted the building was insecure, and when they enter discovered the remains of a ‘huge cannabis production’.

Police said that the entire first floor and loft space had been used to grow more than 1,000 plants, but only root balls, soil and empty pots were left behind.

It is also thought the electricity meter had been bypassed by the crooks.

Police said in a Facebook post: ‘The building was vacated by the Police 6 years ago as part of the cuts to the Police budget and not used by us since.

‘It was sold at auction a short time later. The building has been privately owned ever since.

Root balls, soil, empty pots and light sources were all that remained in the old police station in Oldham, Greater Manchester

‘It was a bit surreal though seeing the old Inspector’s office full of root balls and empty pots.’

Police said other items at the scene suggested those growing the class B drug had been sleeping there – and the property’s electricity meter had been bypassed.

The post added: ‘It is believed the grow was ”taxed” in the early hours of this morning where all the cannabis plants had been removed.

‘The electricity meter had also been bypassed. From items left at the scene it appears the ”gardeners” had been living/sleeping at the location.  

GMP said some of the growing items used on the farm were donated to a local growing hub at Earls Lodge.

The old Failsworth Police Station in Oldham where the remnants of a ‘huge’ cannabis farm was discovered