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A 'skunk' cannabis plant


KENT NEWS:


Dim-witted cannabis growers keen to cut costs in producing the drug have been caught bang to rights after creating a stink in the summer sunshine.

In an effort to save money on the intense heating and lighting needed to cultivate the class B drug, the growers have been placing their plants outside to soak up the sun during the recent heatwave.

But they apparently forgot about the strong smell the plants give off.

This is particularly the case with hybrid varieties of the plant, which are known as 'skunk' through the aroma they give off.

And unfortunately for the growers the tell-tale pungent smell comes long before the plants mature and flower for harvesting.

As a result the police have received a spate of calls from members of the public about cannabis plants being grown in neighbouring gardens.

Officers have raided three addresses in Tunbridge Wells, Paddock Wood and Five Oak Green, near Tonbridge.

They found about a dozen plants in various stages of growth at each of the homes, which were all seized and arrested five people.

After being quizzed in custody three people were cautioned for cultivating cannabis, one person was bailed until September 25 to allow further investigation and a man was charged.

Inspector Simon Wilshaw, the neighbourhood inspector for Tunbridge Wells, said:
I am aware that as people try to save money on the electricity or lighting that it takes to bring cannabis plants to maturity they can put these plants outside in the hot, sunny weather.

"Because the smell of the plants is so strong, especially with skunk cannabis, this can lead to neighbours or passers-by making reports to the police, which we of course welcome.


We would encourage the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity to us.


*Michael Growns, 24, of Ringden Avenue, Paddock Wood, is due to appear at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court on August 6 accused of being concerned in the production of cannabis.

POSTED: 31/07/2010

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