Man jailed after cannabis farm found at house in Warwick

A man has been jailed after 119 cannabis plants were found at a house in Warwick.

Deni Vapri, 23, of Beech Grove, Warwick has received a jail sentence after admitting producing cannabis.

The court was told officers raided the house in June after receiving intelligence of a cannabis grow at the property. They discovered the plants growing across four rooms. The electrics had also been bypassed.

A video of the warrant being enacted is available online.

Vapri was given a nine-month jail sentence when he appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday 8 August.

PC Ben Avery from the local Patrol Investigation Unit said: “Although some people believe cannabis to be a low-level drug, here in Warwickshire Police, we take a zero tolerance to drug production and supply.

“Ultimately, these drugs would have ended up on the streets of Warwickshire and would have profited an organised crime group a considerable amount.

“Please take into consideration that drug supply coincides with the most vulnerable members of our community being exploited.

“We hope that Deni takes time to reflect upon his actions whilst in prison as well as hoping this sentence acts as a deterrent to others.”

Police rely on information from the community to identify cannabis grows. Do you know the signs?

• Covered up windows – Curtains always drawn up or windows covered/boarded up from the inside.
• Excessive security measures – Excessive security measures such as extra locks or grilles on windows.
• Lots of condensation – Cannabis plants need a greenhouse like environment to grow. Look out for condensation on the windows, especially in the summer months.
• Lots of visitors – Frequent visitors at unsociable hours.
• Resident only visiting address twice weekly – Some cannabis growers are extremely organised and only tend to the plants a couple of times a week.
• Plant growing equipment – Look out for potential growers taking lots of plant growing equipment in and out of properties, such as soil/fertiliser and plant waste.
• Lot of cables and wiring – Cannabis farm set ups require lots of cables and wirings for all the equipment. If wires are still hanging from ceilings/walls after a week, this may be a sign of a grow.
• Excessive electricity bills (For Landlords) – Have the electricity bills suddenly spiked or dropped? It may be likely that the tenants are fiddling with the meter.
• Snow or frost – Cannabis farms produce a lot of heat. Be wary of a property without a snow-covered roof.
• Bright lights day and night – Cannabis plants need light to grow, look out for properties with bright lighting.
• Buzz of ventilation – The constant noise of a fan could be for ventilation for cannabis grows.
• Vulnerable adults – Sometimes foreign nationals are forced to tend to cannabis farms and are victims of human trafficking/modern slavery.

To report suspicious activity go to www.warwickshire.police.uk/report or call 101.

Or alternatively you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.