Synthesizer Man
04-07-2006, 02:53 PM
Hundreds of cannabis plants were found in two East Oxford houses yesterday in what could be the biggest seizure of homegrown drugs in the city.
Police discovered the first cannabis 'factory' after they saw two of the plants being used to prop open the front door of a house on Fairacres Road, off Iffley Road.
A substantial number of plants were also found in a property in nearby Warwick Street.
CID officers are investigating and forensic teams are expected to be carrying out a fingertip search of both houses today.
It is understood that the number of plants seized by police could be as many as 800, and that at Fairacres Road they were spread through every room of the house.
Oxford police spokesman Tim Wiseman said: "Officers entered the Fairacres Road property at 11am on Thursday morning after what is believed to be a substantial number of cannabis plants were found at the address.
"It was discovered after two plants were seen propping open the door."
He said a man had been arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and was at St Aldates police station awaiting questioning, but for operational reasons, his age and where he was arrested would not be released.
Residents were not surprised to hear of the drugs seizure.
Neighbour Isabel Schmidt, 23, of Fairacres Road, said she was amazed that the offenders had such a 'gung ho' attitude. She said: "It is incredibly stupid leaving them (the plants) on the doorstep. But it doesn't surprise me. We have had a bit of trouble with this kind of thing before."
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "This area is quite renowned for having problems with drugs but the police seem to be clamping down on it."
The occupants of the house were not in when the police made their discovery.
The find comes just two days after Pc Martin Brock sniffed out a cannabis factory in Redwood Close while cycling on a routine patrol through Greater Leys. Police seized 14 plants which had reached up to two feet high growing in three hydroponic trays with high-powered lights.
Just one of dozens of busts in the last few months. It is getting harder and harder to find anything decent.
Police discovered the first cannabis 'factory' after they saw two of the plants being used to prop open the front door of a house on Fairacres Road, off Iffley Road.
A substantial number of plants were also found in a property in nearby Warwick Street.
CID officers are investigating and forensic teams are expected to be carrying out a fingertip search of both houses today.
It is understood that the number of plants seized by police could be as many as 800, and that at Fairacres Road they were spread through every room of the house.
Oxford police spokesman Tim Wiseman said: "Officers entered the Fairacres Road property at 11am on Thursday morning after what is believed to be a substantial number of cannabis plants were found at the address.
"It was discovered after two plants were seen propping open the door."
He said a man had been arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and was at St Aldates police station awaiting questioning, but for operational reasons, his age and where he was arrested would not be released.
Residents were not surprised to hear of the drugs seizure.
Neighbour Isabel Schmidt, 23, of Fairacres Road, said she was amazed that the offenders had such a 'gung ho' attitude. She said: "It is incredibly stupid leaving them (the plants) on the doorstep. But it doesn't surprise me. We have had a bit of trouble with this kind of thing before."
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "This area is quite renowned for having problems with drugs but the police seem to be clamping down on it."
The occupants of the house were not in when the police made their discovery.
The find comes just two days after Pc Martin Brock sniffed out a cannabis factory in Redwood Close while cycling on a routine patrol through Greater Leys. Police seized 14 plants which had reached up to two feet high growing in three hydroponic trays with high-powered lights.
Just one of dozens of busts in the last few months. It is getting harder and harder to find anything decent.