Potential victims of modern slavery safeguarded as £1.5m cannabis farm seized

Two potential victims of modern slavery have been safeguarded as a cannabis factory worth more than £1.5million was seized in Graveley.

Officers from the Huntingdonshire Neighbourhood Team acted yesterday (17 April) after a member of the public reported a suspicious smell coming from a farm in Offord Road.

Two men, aged 34 and 35, who are being treated as victims of modern slavery, were located inside locked premises and were safeguarded.

Officers seized 1,845 plants within an outbuilding, with an estimated value of more than £1.5million

An investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances and identify those responsible.

Inspector Colin Norden, from the Huntingdonshire Neighbourhood Team, said: “This highlights the impact that cannabis cultivation has in relation to modern day slavery and the funding of organised crime. They are inextricably linked and neither have any place in our communities.

“Those who take advantage of others for organised criminality can expect to be brought to justice.

“We urge anyone with information or suspicions regarding drug activity in their area to contact us or Crimestoppers.”

Modern slavery can happen anywhere in any situation. The signs of forced labour can be very different. Victims might look helpless and afraid, but they can also seem to accept their situation, be completely unaware of it, or even defend the people who are exploiting them.

If you think modern slavery is happening, tell someone as soon as you think it’s safe to. This could be about a victim, a suspect, or a particular business or place. You will always be taken seriously, and protection and support it available.

You can report modern slavery to us using our online crime reporting service. For more information about modern slavery and spotting the signs visit our dedicated webpage.