Eight arrested for human trafficking & drug offences in Blackpool

Eight people have been arrested by police in Blackpool in connection with drugs and human trafficking offences.

Police say they found a cannabis factory in an industrial unit off Wakefield Road in Bispham on Monday morning.

Around 300 cannabis plants with a street value of £150,000 were found, with police making several arrests.

Following further enquiries police later attended an address in George Street, Blackpool, where a second cannabis grow of 100 plants was found.

The investigation was led by officers from the Blackpool Criminal Exploitation Team, supported by Blackpool Task Force working with Blackpool Neighbourhood Police, the Blackpool vulnerability team and Blackpool Council.

• A 61-year-old man from Cleveleys was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug and human trafficking.

• A 43-year-old man from Blackpool was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug and human trafficking.

• A 27-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug.

• A 23-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of drugs production – cannabis.

• A 23-year-old man from Bolton has been arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.

• A 33-year-old man from Fleetwood was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug.

• A 16-year-old boy of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.

• A 16-year-old boy of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of drugs production – cannabis.

All are currently in custody.

For advice and support for victims and those with suspicions, please call the modern slavery helpline on 08000 121 700 or visit lancashire.police.uk/modernslavery