Secret trap door leading to underground cannabis tunnels in Gateshead discovered by police

The total value of the Class B drugs amounted to £215,000. Credit: Northumbria Police

Police have uncovered a series of hidden underground tunnels containing over £200,000 worth of cannabis.

Officers from Northumbria Police were alerted to what they called "suspicious activity" at a property in the Highcliffe Gardens area of Gateshead.

While there, officers discovered a secret trap door which led to several drug tunnels and rooms containing almost 200 mature cannabis plants, equipment and a significant electrical bypass.

Specialist officers were then called to dismantle the farm and valued the Class B drugs at £215,000 street value.

It has been described as a "particularly concerning case" by Northumbria Police as it posed a fire risk and could have affected the structural integrity of the property.

Footage from Northumbria Police shows the extent of the cannabis farm

The discovery was made on Thursday 27 June and investigations remain ongoing.

Police have urged anyone with any information to contact them.

Gateshead neighbourhood inspector Craig Brown said: "This was a particularly concerning case as coupled with the obvious fire hazard posed by the tampered electricals, it could have affected the structural integrity of the property.

"As well as funding more serious organised crime, the illicit and unregulated production of cannabis in confined spaces, such as this one, presents a worrying safety risk to both the people involved and the community.

“Our investigations are ongoing to locate those responsible – and we’d encourage anyone with information that they think could assist our enquiries to come forward.“We would also urge people to continue reporting anything out of the ordinary in their community, so we can take appropriate action to help keep everyone safe.”

Anyone with information can contact Northumbria Police via social media or the force website, quoting reference NP-20240627-0012.

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