A Premier League footballer was shocked to discover that his rented house in the North West of England was turned into a cannabis farm by a criminal gang. The gang forced the female tenant to let them grow hundreds of cannabis plants in the property, which they later sold online. The police raided the house and seized the plants, but no arrests have been made yet.
The footballer, whose name has not been revealed, owns the house as part of his buy-to-let portfolio. He had entrusted the management of the property to a family member, who rented it out to a woman. The footballer had no idea that his house was being used for illegal purposes, until the police informed him of the raid.
According to The Sun, the footballer had to show paperwork to prove that he was not involved in the cannabis operation. He also cooperated with the police and answered their questions. The police concluded that the footballer was innocent and that he was a victim of the gang’s scheme.
Tenant set up by gang who advertised cannabis online
The tenant, who was also questioned by the police, claimed that she was set up by the gang, who threatened her to let them use the house for growing cannabis. The gang installed sophisticated equipment and lighting systems in the house, and cultivated hundreds of cannabis plants. They then advertised their products online using QR codes, which directed potential buyers to a website that claimed to sell legal cannabis.
The website also asked the buyers to follow them on Telegram, an encrypted messaging app that is often used by criminals to avoid detection. The gang used the app to communicate with their customers, and to collect their personal and financial information. The gang may have also sent them harmful or fake products, or cheated them out of their money.
Police and council warn public about cannabis scams
The police and the council have warned the public not to scan the QR codes or visit the website, as they could be exposing themselves to risks of fraud, identity theft, or prosecution. They have also urged anyone who has information about the gang or the cannabis farm to contact them or Crimestoppers anonymously.
Worcester Safer Neighbourhood Inspector Tanya Beckett said: “We have been made aware of stickers being placed on street furniture and bins in some parts of Worcester promoting the sale of Cannabis. West Mercia Police is dedicated to tackling drug supply in the community. I would like to reassure the public that we are now investigating this issue and I advise that people don’t attempt to scan the attached QR code. I would urge anyone who has any information about these stickers to contact us.”
A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “We have reported this matter to the police who are investigating. Members of our street scene team are now out and about removing the stickers.”
Cannabis remains illegal and harmful in the UK
Cannabis is a Class B drug in the UK, which means that possessing, producing, or supplying it is illegal and punishable by up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. Cannabis can also have negative effects on the physical and mental health of the users, such as increasing the risk of lung diseases, impairing memory and concentration, and triggering psychosis and paranoia.
The public is advised to stay away from any websites or apps that claim to sell legal cannabis, as they are likely to be scams or criminal enterprises. Anyone who has information about the QR code stickers or the dealers behind them should report it to the police or to Crimestoppers anonymously.
Maria Garcia is an award-winning author who excels in creating engaging cannabis-centric articles that captivate audiences. Her versatile writing style allows her to cover a wide range of topics within the cannabis space, from advocacy and social justice to product reviews and lifestyle features. Maria’s dedication to promoting education and awareness about cannabis shines through in her thoughtfully curated content that resonates with both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
