Arrest as £150,000 cannabis farm smashed

A SUSPECTED illegal immigrant has been arrested following the discovery of a cannabis farm with an estimated street value of £150,000 at a derelict Chinese takeaway.

The drugs farm was raided when police on patrol in Ripponden Road, near the junction with Huddersfield Road, spotted two men acting suspiciously at around 8.40am on Wednesday.

One of the men, aged 30, living in Oldham, was arrested under stop and search powers for suspected immigration offences.

The other man ran from the scene and is still being sought by officers.

During subsequent inquiries officers executed a search warrant at the takeaway in Ripponden Road, where they found 576 cannabis plants and cultivating equipment.

The arrested man was released on bail pending further inquiries and handed over to the UK Borders Agency.

Officers are now appealing for the public’s help in tracing the other man.

Sgt Rob Howarth, based at Oldham police station, said: “I would like to thank members of the local community for their help in leading us to this farm.

“I would now like to appeal for their help again in locating the other man.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Oldham police on 0161-856 9578.


GAVIN Makin (24), of Hayfield Close, Moorside, was charged with cultivating cannabis and is due to appear before Oldham magistrates on May 15.

The charge relates to a cannabis farm consisting of 25 large plants that was discovered at a house on Hayfield Close, Moorside, on Wednesday (6) morning.