Man arrested after cannabis factory is discovered in Crawley

A man has been arrested after police discovered a large cannabis grow in Shetland Close, Crawley.

Acting on intelligence, Sussex Police’s Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) executed a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at the house around 1pm on 16 August.

Inside, all rooms had been converted to support a cannabis grow with a large quantity of plants found throughout the property.

UK Power Networks attended and ensured the scene was made safe after they found the electricity had been bypassed.

The plants and equipment were subsequently removed from the property and destroyed, and an investigation is now underway.

22-year-old Bledar Kurti, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with producing a Class B drug (cannabis) and abstracting or using electricity without authority. He has been remanded in custody to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 15 September.

TEU Sergeant Andy Bryant said: "Thanks to members of the public remaining vigilant and reporting their concerns relating to this property, we were able to successfully disrupt a supply chain and make an arrest.

"Criminal conduct such as this will not be tolerated by Sussex Police and we will continue to work towards terminating drug distribution routes and bringing the offenders behind these criminal operations to justice."