Man charged after 150 cannabis plants found inside house in Harold Hill

150 cannabis plants were found inside a house in Elliot Gardens (credit: Havering MPS)

A man’s been charged after more than £100,000 pounds worth of Cannabis was found inside a property in Harold Hill.

Officers made the arrest after raiding an address in Elliot Gardens on Monday, 11 December to find 150 cannabis plants inside.

Several of the rooms had been converted with high powered heat lamps and air ventilation equipment.

A 45-year-old male was arrested on scene and taken to an East London Police Station. He has since been charged with offences relating to cultivation of cannabis.

The arrest came as police marked the first day of a new initiative, called Clear, Hold, Build launched in the area.

In a statement, Havering Police said: “Officers from Heaton, Gooshays and Harold Wood Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, alongside colleagues from East Area Street Duties executed a search warrant under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 at a residential address in Elliott Gardens, Harold Hill.

“Within the address several of the rooms had been converted with high powered heat lamps and air ventilation equipment. 150 Cannabis plants were recovered by officers, with a potential street value of over £100,000.

“Representatives from the National Grid attended to “make safe” the electrics within the address, due to the dangerous nature and clear overloading of the electrical circuits.”

Police executed a search warrant at a house in Elliot Gardens (credit: Havering MPS)

Inspector Charlie Routley, from Havering Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: “The warrant executed today (Monday, 11 December) has seen my officers recover a large amount of Cannabis with a potential street value of over £100,000, which was no doubt destined for the streets of our local communities.

“We have also closed a potential fire hazard within a residential property which posed a genuine risk to those living nearby. There have been previous incidents where Cannabis grow houses like this have caught fire and caused a risk to life due to the irresponsible use of electrical appliances or tampering with electrical wiring.

“Today is a fantastic result in our efforts to disrupt organised crime groups who are operating in Harold Hill under Clear Hold Build. We will continue to work with the community to target those involved in drugs cultivation and supply across Havering.”

Residents can report any concerns around drugs or drugs supply anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.