Albanian men arrested after police drone detects cannabis farms with over 500 plants in Preston

A police drone has exposed two cannabis farms in Preston, leading to the arrest of a pair of men from Albania.

By Matthew Calderbank
Friday, 28th August 2020, 1:00 pm

The drone's thermal imaging camera detected the cannabis farms at two homes in the St Matthew's area of the city yesterday (Thursday, August 27).

Officers with the Preston task force and tactical ops team raided the properties where they uncovered more than 500 plants at various stages of growth. Some were just weeks away from being ready for sale on the streets.

Two Albanian men in their 20s have been arrested and are awaiting interview by Immigration officers.

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A police spokesman said: "Drones thermal camera has uncovered two addresses in the St Matts area used to cultivate cannabis, with over 500 plants inside.

"Two Albanian males in their 20s have been arrested and are awaiting interview by Immigration.

"Anyone with any information please email us directly at: [email protected]"

The haul of cannabis, worth thousands of pounds, has been seized by police and will be destroyed. Pic: Lancashire Police
Some of the more than 500 plants were just weeks away from being ready for sale on the streets of Preston. Pic: Lancashire Police
More than 500 cannabis plants were uncovered at two address in the St Matthew's area of Preston yesterday (August 27). Pic: Lancashire Police
Two men from Albania, aged in their 20s, have been arrested and referred to the Immigration service. Pic: Lancashire Police