More than 50 West Midlands Police officers raided eight addresses across the region in early March 2010, including a rented seven-bedroom mansion in Roman Road, Little Aston, an area known as Millionaires’ Row.[1][2] The mansion sat near the Hardwick Road and Streetly Lane roundabout on the Staffordshire and Walsall border, in streets where residents included former England manager Graham Taylor and actor Trevor Eve.[1][2]
Officers acted on tip-offs from the public and found the house rigged with hydroponics and electrical equipment growing hundreds of plants across at least three rooms.[2] Three men believed to be Vietnamese were arrested at the mansion, which police said was rented.[1][2] The other raids took place in the Caldmore and Park Hall areas of Walsall.[2]
In total the operation recovered more than 1,000 plants with an estimated street value of £250,000, plus £50,000 in cash.[1][2] Seventeen people, five women and twelve men believed to be mainly Vietnamese, were taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to cultivate and supply cannabis.[1][2] Sixteen were charged with conspiracy to cultivate and sent before magistrates in Walsall, while one man was bailed.[1]
