A Wigan landlord is understandably irate that his house has been destroyed by a tenant’s suspected cannabis farm........ and apparently the police are powerless to do anything about it.

The landlord, Bill Glover, who rented a house in a Wigan suburb, was shocked to find that his tenant had built and installed a hydroponics unit that is known to be used for growing cannabis.

 

When the police came and inspected the property they informed Glover that they were unable to press charges against the former tenant, as there were no signs of any plants within the house. They stated that there was no available proof that the apparatus had been purchased for illicit purposes.

However the police did contact the utility service to make them aware of the situation and Glover said: “I believe a cannabis farm had been set up in my house which I rent out.

“The tenant had not paid rent so I went round and was disgusted at the way the back garden had been left.

 

 “Then a neighbour told me they could smell cannabis. I entered the property and saw all the equipment.

“I called the police and they conducted an investigation. Although the apparatus was there, there were no plants. The police said no offence had been made as anyone can buy equipment from the internet and it could be used for tomato plants.

 

“But we could certainly smell the cannabis. The house had been trashed, and the tenant had bypassed electricity.

“I am appalled that this person has trashed my house and got away with it.”

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said officers were dispatched to the landlord’s property on Sunday June 28th when Glover contacted them about a suspected drugs farm in his property.
 

Upon inspection of the property the officers present said that they were unable to press charges as there was no firm evidence of cannabis being grown. Inspector Glenn Jones said: “It is not an offence to own hydroponics and there was no evidence that cannabis had been cultivated at the address. However, a referral was made to utility services in relation to abstraction of electricity.

“When dealing with incidents such as this, we have to balance this against other priority needs such as vulnerability and safeguarding issues within the community.”

Richard Merrick of PIMS says: “I can understand the police’s inactivity as there was no real solid proof, however damage had been done to the property and very few people actually grow a 'farm' of tomatoes inside any residence.

“The crazy situation is further exacerbated by the very fact that landlord’s are now made responsible if drug cultivation occurs inside one of their rented properties and can be fined.”