Criminal gangs are making money from modern-day slaves trafficked into the UK to work in cannabis factories, says a Southampton police officer.
Inspector Charlie Ilderton has seen people being forced to work in illegal enterprises as part of his work with the High Harm Team.
The unit tackles criminals and issues which pose the greatest risk to city residents.
It is made up of a sergeant and nine PCs.
Inspector Ilderton said: “Quite often we find people working in these factories who have been trafficked to the country to farm that product [cannabis].
“These crime groups make a lot of money out of it.
“I have visited some of the factories myself and seen people being forced to work in them.
“We are taking proactive steps to stop further people from being involved.
“We look at the vulnerability of and support the people whose address was used.
“Once we are aware of the situation, we work with our partners to safeguard that individual.”
He says that the factories he and his team have found have a level of ‘complexity’ and involve organised crime gangs.
He added: “There’s a lot more to it now, and there are concerns about modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
“There’s a likely risk of vulnerability involved in these factories.
Inspector Ilderton said targeting cannabis factories is a really good use of police resources.
And, that in residential properties there is an ‘inherent risk of fire’.
“The electricals in the factory are not well-established, so there’s also a wider risk of fire that is posed as well,” he said.
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The police are said to be using advanced technology to identify factories, however, officers ‘really rely on community information’.
Inspector Ilderton said: “We really need the community to come forward if they see anything untoward.”
In December three men were jailed for growing hundreds of plants at a warehouse in Millbank Street, Northam.
The Albanian nationals claimed they were trafficked to the UK having been sold the ‘English dream’.
The factory was capable of producing up to four crops a year, each with a value of between £179,000 and £535,000.
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Last week, Migen Elezi was jailed after he was caught growing plants with a value of up to £66,000 in Sirdar Road, Portswood.
The 42-year-old broke his wrist trying to escape from police when he jumped from a roof.
His barrister argued he was being exploited and forced to work in the factory as to pay a £15,000 debt to traffickers.
Southampton Crown Court heard he was previously deported for selling drugs in Brighton.
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