EARLY morning raids busted cannabis factories in a bid to crack down on the drugs trade and linked criminal activity.
Greenwich police, staff from London Fire Brigade, Greenwich council and electricity companies took part in Operation Damson last Wednesday.
They targeted 23 properties and discovered factories in 10 of them.
The factories were netting thousands of pounds for their operators. More than 1,982 plants were seized.
Police arrested 11 people on charges in connection with the cultivation of cannabis and two on suspicion of immigration offences.
Three children aged 10, four and one were found unattended and taken into police protection.
A sick dog was handed over to the RSPCA.
Police also found DVDs which suggested counterfeit operations were also taking place.
In all premises there was evidence of illegal use of electricity.
The fire brigade was on hand because hundreds of fires break out in factories in London every year due to the haphazard rewiring and dangerous materials often stored.
Borough commander Peter Lowton said the operation looked set to seriously disrupt the supply of drugs across South London.
He added: “We are sending a strong message to the operators that police will act to close them down wherever information from the community raises suspicions.”
He added operators are often involved in other crimes including people trafficking and prostitution.
He warned that the high profits being made in Greenwich could attract criminals from other areas.
He said that 637 cannabis plants worth £190,000 were discovered in one small semi-detached house in Plumstead.
“When you consider that most factories can get three harvests a year, it’s clear this is a lucrative occupation,” he added.
He urged people to give them information about suspected cannabis growing.
Contact **************
