A cannabis farm has been uncovered by police inside a historic church dating nearly 150 years.
Lancashire Police uncovered more than 1,500 plants at the deconsecrated St Mary’s Church in Nelson, after officers spotted unusual piping leading into the building.
The plants were spread across multiple rooms within the church – which was built in 1879 – and were found at different stages of development.
Upon entering the premises, officers encountered a large-scale growing setup that they subsequently dismantled.
The force confirmed that the operation had been fully taken apart following the raid on the disused religious building.
A man inside the building attempted to flee when police arrived, leaping from a window in a bid to evade capture.
His escape plan proved rather short-lived, however. Lancashire Police noted that the individual “failed to consider the impact the drop might have on his running ability.”
The suspect was swiftly apprehended and remained in custody as of this week.
Police recovered over 1,500 cannabis plants from inside the church
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LANCASHIRE POLICE
Lancashire Police was keen to stress the gravity of such operations, anticipating public dismissal of the find.
A spokesman said: “No doubt there’ll be a comment or two claiming ‘it’s just plants’ or ‘find some proper drugs’.
“What those people fail to take into consideration is the human trafficking, exploitation and violence linked to cannabis grows, especially ones of this scale.”
The force also highlighted the dangers posed by criminal gangs who extort those running such farms.
The church dates back to 1879
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DAVID DIXON
“Then you throw into the mix those that tax these, usually armed with weapons, and you have yourself a concoction of risk at every stage,” the spokesman added.
Officers encouraged residents with any suspicions about drug cultivation locally to report their concerns.
This comes as a cannabis farm was discovered inside a historic Welsh mansion where King Charles once attended a ball marking his investiture as Prince of Wales earlier this year.
North Wales Police uncovered a large number of well-developed plants at Plas Glynllifon, a 19th-century residence near Caernarfon in Gwynedd.
The drug-growing operation was spread across around a dozen rooms on the building’s top floor.