Huge cannabis farm found hidden in derelict pub 2 years after another shut down

09 May 2023 , 11:04

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Police busted into the former Brickmakers Arms pub in Uckfield, Sussex on April 25 where they found and seized the plants which were "in the early stage of growth" (Image: Sussex Police)

A huge cannabis farm has been uncovered in a derelict pub - two years after another one was shut down on the same site

Police busted into the former Brickmakers Arms pub in Uckfield, Sussex on April 25 where they found and seized the plants which were "in the early stage of growth".

As many as 99 plants were found and seized, with pictures showing the scale of the operation.

Heat lamps, pots and plastic sheets are shown in the photos, as well as "growing equipment", which had previously been found to be a "cannabis factory" in May 2021 and ended at the time.

However, members of the public had suspicions the site was being used again, which was correct, Sussex Live reports.

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As many as 99 plants were found (Sussex Police)

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: "Police have seized 99 cannabis plants at a former pub site in Uckfield.

"Officers from East Sussex’s Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) gained entry to the former Brickmakers Arms in New Road, Ridgewood, Uckfield, on Tuesday 25 April following reports of suspicious activity from members of the public."

They continued: "Inside, they found the cannabis plants, which were in the early stage of growth, alongside growing equipment."

Superintendent Till Sanderson said: “The site was previously found to be a cannabis factory in May 2021, which was disrupted, but members of the public thought it had started up again.

“It looks like we disrupted the grow at an early stage.

"The offenders had spent a considerable amount of time, effort and money in constructing the site which they have now thankfully lost.

“Cannabis is a harmful, banned substance and its cultivation, sale and distribution brings criminality to an area.

"It can lead to more serious crimes and goes hand-in-hand with violence, exploitation and addiction, sowing devastation among our communities.

“This operation proves that we will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of perpetrators, while working with our partners to address the root causes of this behaviour and safeguard those most at risk of harm.”

Jasmine Carey