£25k Port Glasgow cannabis farm raided after public tip-off

Officers received information about the commercial property on Bute Avenue being used as a cultivation spot and carried out a swoop.

Scottish Power secured the area before officers began removing the plants and cannabis cultivation kit during a raid which was led by the local Alcohol and Violence Reduction Unit.

The discovery is another key success in an ongoing battle against local drug operations being spearheaded by Chief Inspector Paul Cameron.

The area commander has overseen the removal of drugs with an estimated value of £1.5m from Inverclyde's streets since December.

Ch Insp Cameron said: "When I arrived here I said I would target these operations and I told dealers that they should keep looking over their shoulder.

Police cannabis farm raid, Bute Avenue, Port Glasgow.

"To remove this amount of drugs from the street in a short space of time can be deemed a victory, but it is more than just taking these substances out of circulation.

"As I've said before, many of these operations happen in residential properties - usually flats - with people occupying the houses above and below.

"The electricity is being bypassed in many cultivations, so if there is a trip, it will send the whole place up in flames.

"The sooner we find out about these operations, the quicker we can stop potential fatalities happening."

Police cannabis farm raid, Bute Avenue, Port Glasgow.

Mr Cameron revealed last week he had set up a summit with Scottish Fire and Rescue, housing providers, SP Energy and Inverclyde Council in a bid to flush out dealers and their operations.

He said: "We have been very lucky so far that none of these operations have caused a major fire before we have uncovered them.

"So far the community have been excellent in assisting, but there are people out there who may know something but not want to say.

"This is not just about arresting dealers, but creating a safer community for everyone.

"That's why we're taking this approach across the board.

"Report anything you think is suspicious and let us deal with the risks."

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THE police area commander today provided members of the public with key signs of how to spot a drug cultivation operation like the one smashed in Port Glasgow.

Inverclyde Police Paul Cameron..

Chief Inspector Paul Cameron wants people to be aware of telltale signs in a bid to disrupt dealers and avoid a fire tragedy.

Mr Cameron said: "It is important that we provide an education on what to look out for.

"The first myth we need to debunk is that there is always a pungent odour at a cannabis cultivation - many of these operations have found workarounds and even use fabric softener to mask the smell.

"Other signs are residential properties with either lots of people coming and going, or nobody ever being there at all.

"If you live in a block of flats and notice your lights frequently flickering, that could be a sign that there is an electricity bypass in the building.

"Other things such as condensation on the windows, lights always being on, a gentle whirring sound or large amounts of compost bags and plant pots being brought inside could all point to an operation.

"Any time we receive information we will always act and check it out that day.

"I would rather people reported their suspicions and be wrong rather than waiting until it is too late.

"One small spark and there could be a potential fatal fire, then you would spent the rest of your life asking yourself why you didn't say something sooner."

*To speak to Greenock police dial 101 or get in touch with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.