West Midlands Police have dismantled a £5 million cannabis farm hidden inside an industrial unit in Aston, following a tip-off from National Grid staff who were called to investigate a power cut in the area.
Power cut leads to major discovery
National Grid engineers were dispatched to Lichfield Road, Aston, on July 29 after reports of a power failure. Upon arrival, they noticed suspicious activity and alerted police, who attended the scene and uncovered a sophisticated cannabis cultivation operation.
The warehouse contained 25 rooms where cannabis plants were being grown, dried, or stored at various stages of the growing cycle. Officers estimate the street value of the seized crop to be around £5 million, preventing a significant quantity of drugs from reaching the streets of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
Illegal electrical setup posed fire risk
Investigators found that electricity had been illegally diverted to power the lighting, fans, and filtration systems required for the grow. This bypassing of the electrical supply created a serious fire hazard, not only for the unit itself but also for neighbouring properties in the busy industrial area.
Sergeant Harj Cheema, from the Cannabis Disposal Team, said: "Not only has this work stopped a significant volume of cannabis from being supplied in the West Midlands, but we've also been able to ensure the property is safe and no longer a potential fire risk to the people living and working in the area."
Arrests and ongoing investigation
Two men, aged 20 and 43, were arrested on July 29 on suspicion of cultivating cannabis. They have since been released on bail while investigations continue. Following a forensic examination of the site, the specialist Cannabis Disposal Unit dismantled the entire operation, removing all equipment and plants.
West Midlands Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. A spokesperson said: "Wherever we receive reports about suspicious activity like this, we investigate and work to build an intelligence picture telling us where this kind of crime is happening.
"If you think there is something suspicious going on where you live, let us know by calling 101."
Impact on community safety
The raid is part of a wider crackdown on illegal drug production in the West Midlands. Cannabis farms are often linked to organised crime and can bring violence and anti-social behaviour to local areas. The dismantling of this operation removes a major source of illegal drugs and reduces the risk of fire or other hazards to the community.
Residents in Aston have expressed relief that the farm has been shut down, with many praising the swift action of police and National Grid staff. The investigation remains ongoing, and police are appealing for anyone with information about similar operations to come forward.
