Kent Police were still clearing a third cannabis factory on Church Road, Ramsgate, on 22 May 2008 after a two-day operation at three addresses.[1] More than 450 plants were found at 20a and 20b Church Road—where internal walls had been knocked through to join the houses—and at 68b Church Road.[1] Kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms were filled with plants, and electricity meters had been bypassed.[1]
Specialist teams helped execute a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act because of safety concerns about the wiring.[1] Sergeant Dave Knox said organised groups use factories to fund other crime and that the three sites could potentially yield more than £50,000 every twelve weeks, the plants’ propagation cycle.[1] Ngoc Bang Tran, 46, of Plaistow, London, was arrested in Church Road and charged with being concerned in the production of cannabis, with a court date listed for that Friday.[1] Investigators were still examining whether the three properties were linked.[1]
Superintendent Chris Hogben said the case reflected intelligence work in Thanet and noted a growing trend of rented homes being converted for cultivation.[1]
