Man arrested as part of Winchester cannabis factory investigation

Officers have made a third arrest as part of an investigation into a cannabis factory in Winchester.

On Monday 21 November 2023, officers from the Winchester Neighbourhood Enforcement Team and CID executed a warrant at a building in Upper Brook Street.

Inside the building they found a large number of cannabis plants at various stages of growth.

On that day, a man, now aged 55, was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of Class B. He has since been released under investigation while we carried out further enquiries.

As part of our investigation, officers carried out a warrant at an address in the Rownhams area, near Southampton, on Tuesday 26 November. A quantity of cash was seized, estimated to be around £100,000.

A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating a Class B drug, and acquitting/using/possessing criminal property.

He has been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

A third man, a 56-year-old from Basingstoke, was arrested in April this year on suspicion of being concerned in the production of a Class B drug. He was released with no further action.

Another 56-year-old man, from Southampton, attended for a voluntary interview. He has been released under investigation.

We continue to investigate this incident and if you have any information about what happened, please call us on 101, quoting the crime reference number 44230474009.

You can also submit information via our website - https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Information can also be submitted 100% anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org/