Image via Wikipedia10:00am Saturday 6th August 2011
By Helen OrrellA MAN arrested in connection with a raid on a cannabis growing operating in Colchester is believed to be a victim of human trafficking.
The 41-year-old man was arrested when police raided a bungalow in Welshwood Park Road. He is a Chinese national and is said to be in the country illegally.
Police discovered 600 to 800 cannabis plants with a street value of £250,000 inside the bungalow on Tuesday.
They were tipped off by neighbourhood PCSO Julia Brandon, who smelled the cannabis plants through an open window while walking her beat.
The man was questioned by police and bailed pending further inquiries.
He was handed to the Salvation Army, which has a contract for looking after potential adult victims of human trafficking, and taken to a safe house outside the Colchester area.
He will remain there until the investigation has finished.
Toby Allanson, a UK Border Agency spokesman, said: “He is an immigration offender.
“He remains on immigration bail while the UK Border Agency works to progress his case.
“He will certainly not be deported until the police have finished their investigation.
“Then his case will be looked at.”
Paul Smith, ward councillor for St John’s and Parson’s Heath, said Welshwood Park residents had been shocked by the discovery of the drugs operation on their leafy estate.
He said: “While residents had concerns about the building, to find it was being used as a cannabis factory, and a very large one at that, has come as something of a surprise and has shaken the tranquility of Welshwood Park.
“The fact he was in the country illegally is not a surprise, although it might account for why no one was ever seen entering or leaving the premises.”
Source: gazette-news.co.uk/
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