becky420
03-30-2008, 01:57 AM
An underground drugs factory being used to produce cannabis was found by police and fire officers attending a caravan fire, officers have revealed.
Eight large cargo units were discovered "buried deliberately" at the site, which is now under police guard, along with an overground generator.
Emergency teams were called to the site near Goddards Green on Easter Monday.
Sussex Police said the site had to be made safe before searches began because the fire involved acetylene cylinders.
Officers said there was an overground surface unit, identical to the containers found underground, which provided access to the factory.
This is clearly the undertaking of more than one person
Sussex Police
Cannabis was being grown in the underground units, and police found more than 300 plants.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said the site appeared to have been "deliberately designed" for producing illegal drugs.
He said the operation to move and bury the cargo containers - and to arrange a large generator providing heat and light - would have been a "significant undertaking".
Cabling was found connecting the generator with the underground units at the site on land close to Leigh Water Mill Farm on Cuckfield Road, between Ansty and the Hickstead area.
Suspected arson
The spokesman said: "This is clearly the undertaking of more than one person and the site has been in location for a period, and would have taken a period of time and numerous resources to construct."
Forensic examination of the site is still under way and a "high volume" of specialist fire and police officers have been involved in making the site safe, he added.
He said there have been two suspected arson incidents at the site in the past month, and work is under way to find if they are linked to the factory.
No-one has been arrested, but police are hoping witnesses will come forward including neighbours who may have seen unusual activity.
Officers also want to speak to professionals who may have been involved in the supply of materials unknowingly.
Story from BBC NEWS:
Eight large cargo units were discovered "buried deliberately" at the site, which is now under police guard, along with an overground generator.
Emergency teams were called to the site near Goddards Green on Easter Monday.
Sussex Police said the site had to be made safe before searches began because the fire involved acetylene cylinders.
Officers said there was an overground surface unit, identical to the containers found underground, which provided access to the factory.
This is clearly the undertaking of more than one person
Sussex Police
Cannabis was being grown in the underground units, and police found more than 300 plants.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said the site appeared to have been "deliberately designed" for producing illegal drugs.
He said the operation to move and bury the cargo containers - and to arrange a large generator providing heat and light - would have been a "significant undertaking".
Cabling was found connecting the generator with the underground units at the site on land close to Leigh Water Mill Farm on Cuckfield Road, between Ansty and the Hickstead area.
Suspected arson
The spokesman said: "This is clearly the undertaking of more than one person and the site has been in location for a period, and would have taken a period of time and numerous resources to construct."
Forensic examination of the site is still under way and a "high volume" of specialist fire and police officers have been involved in making the site safe, he added.
He said there have been two suspected arson incidents at the site in the past month, and work is under way to find if they are linked to the factory.
No-one has been arrested, but police are hoping witnesses will come forward including neighbours who may have seen unusual activity.
Officers also want to speak to professionals who may have been involved in the supply of materials unknowingly.
Story from BBC NEWS: