Officers have closed down a cannabis factory in Blackwater.

The factory was discovered at an address in Minley Road on Sunday, July 4 during a police investigation into an unrelated matter.

Once inside, around 40 plants and associated equipment were discovered in an upstairs bedroom. A further 30 seedlings were located in a downstairs alcove.

A 22-year-old Blackwater man has been arrested and bailed in connection with the discovery.

PC Ben Wagstaff, from the Yateley Targeted Patrol Team, said: “This discovery means these drugs will now never reach our streets and is all part of our commitment to shutting down factories of this type wherever and whenever they spring up.”

Landlords and residents are encouraged to look out for signs that cannabis is being cultivated in residential homes.

These include:

• A strong, pungent smell coming from the property

• Electrical wiring that has been tampered with

• Rewiring efforts or bypassed circuitry

• A sudden jump or increase in the cost of electricity bills

• Powerful lights left on throughout the night

• Blacked out windows

• Scuffed paint or wallpaper

• Large quantities of bin bags, full of vegetable material, being thrown away

• Visits to the premises at unusual times of the day or night

• People not living in the premises