Learn how to spot cannabis cultivation

Oct 8 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

POLICE are urging West Lothian people to help weed out drug dealers.

Cops are set to hold a conference at the Ramada Hotel in Livingston, next Friday (October 16) on how to spot cannabis cultivation

The seminar is aimed at landlords, letting agencies and managers from the business community.

And it aims to discuss both the financial and social impact that cannabis farms have on local communities and encourage greater scrutiny from businesses when properties are let-out.

The tell-tale signs of cannabis cultivations will be discussed by police officers with council and postal workers, as well as staff from other agencies who are regularly in the community so that they can assist in detecting and closing these down so that the harm they might cause is reduced as much as possible.

A police spokesman said: “Lothian and Borders Police is committed to tackling the scourge of drugs within our local communities and one of the best ways to do that is to educate those very communities on the key issues surrounding various facets of the drugs trade.

“Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Scotland and the UK.

“Its commercial cultivation is a powerful tool in funding the various criminal activities of serious organised crime groups.”

Anyone interested in attending the conferences should contact Constable Julie Smith on 01506 445671 or julie.smith@lbp.pnn.police.uk