TAYSIDE POLICE have eased fears the region has become a sustained target of the latest money making drugs scam to sweep across Scotland.

Following another major cannabis crackdown last month, Scotland’s leading drugs officer revealed 60 cannabis factories have been uncovered across Scotland in the past 12 months.

Graeme Pearson, head of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, warned it had gone from no production to more than one factory a week being discovered within houses, factories and garages in rural and residential areas across Scotland.

Tayside Police stressed the appearance of cannabis factories has not become a major issue with much of the problem remaining in the west coast of Scotland.

However, DS Adrian Robertson from Tayside Police drugs department, admitted with two major crackdowns occurring in Angus at a house and disused church there was a need for ever greater vigilance from both the police and the public.

Over the last few months almost 1000 plants have been recovered from Forfar in a crackdown thought to have removed cannabis with a street value approaching £100,000 from Tayside’s streets.

In both Angus cases DS Robertson admitted the full “works” had been found. However, he believes Tayside Police’s continued enforcement campaigns are well placed to monitor the situation.

In the recent Forfar case—which saw Chinese illegal immigrant Zhi Peng Lin jailed for 45 months—detectives found almost 850 cannabis plants with an estimated value of £84,900.

Inspector Wendy Symington, force drugs co-ordinator, called on the public to come forward if they suspect a house is being used in the production of the Class C drug.

Telltale signs include windows permanently covered from the inside, visits at unusual times and people not living in the premises and only visiting for maintenance.

Cannabis or by-products, such as used fertiliser, will be removed in black bin bags or laundry bags and compost bags or gardening equipment may be left outside.

There may be a vent through the roof or rear window, a pungent smell and noise coming from equipment.

Anyone with any suspicions are to contact the local police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.