TWO cannabis factories were discovered in houses in Ealing last week taking the total shut down in the borough to 11 in eight months.

The raid came after a tip-off from the landlord of 74 Fraser Road, Perivale, who told police on Friday the locks to the house had been changed and the factory had been discovered when one of his relatives climbed through an open window.

The remnants of around 180 cannabis plants, several sacks of compost, several bottles of plant food, growth enhancer and bloom stimulator, light bulbs, a water pump and a hose were found by police when they raided the property.

The house was also fitted out with a sophisticated ventilation system, which took the smell from the plants out of the house through the loft.

Police have said previously the factories are thought to be the work of an organised gang.

In May more than 300 plants were seized from a house in Greenford. At the time Ealing Borough Police spokesman Chris Mullally said: "There is no doubt the person arrested wasn't working alone because of the sophistication and well-organised nature of the operation."

A second factory at 47, Carberry Avenue, Acton, was closed down on Friday after a call from a letting agency which had gone to do routine checks on the house.

One hundred and fifty plants were found by police who say the two factories are exact copies of previous ones found in the borough.

Community and partnership superintendent Ian Jenkins, of Ealing Borough Police, said: "We have discovered and closed 11 well-organised cannabis factories in the last eight months.

"All of these factories have been established in similar rented accommodation of two or three bedroom semi or terrace houses, usually with the windows blocked out or curtains always closed.

"We would ask everyone in the borough to be vigilant for such premises where they notice no one living in newly rented houses."

A 27-year-old, unemployed man from Acton was arrested in Wadsworth Park, Perivale, on suspicion of the production of cannabis. He was bailed until September 27 pending further enquiries.

EalingTimes.co.uk