10:33am Thursday 10th July 2008
LEAFY Winchester has taken on a whole new meaning after police raided a third cannabis factory in the district in just a month.
Officers have recovered more than 300 plants from a four-bedroom detached house in the village of Beauworth, south of Cheriton.
The latest raid comes just weeks after police uncovered cannabis factories in Halls Farm Close, Weeke, and in Micheldever.
All three properties were privately rented. Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the inquiries.
Now Winchester police are warning landlords to be vigilant.
Factories can produce thousands of pounds worth of cannabis a month.
Insp Kevin Baxman, of North Walls police, sent warning letters and pamphlets to local estate agents this week.
Insp Baxman said: "It is usually premises that are rented out that are involved, and we want to give guidance to landlords on how to spot if they are being used for a drug factory."
He said telltale signs includes curtains being closed night and day, visits to the premises at unusual times, and people often not living in the property.
Insp Baxman said they had been tipped off about two of the drugs factories by sharpeyed members of the public.
He said: "This is commercial cultivation of a controlled drug. They are not the sort of leaves we want in Winchester."
He added: "I think these three are the only cannabis factories we have found in Winchester in recent years."
George Triantafyilou, 29, from Sussex, is due to appear before Basingstoke magistrates on July 18, charged with cultivation of cannabis, followed by Hieu Tran, 22, from London, on July 25.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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