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Landlords warned of illegal drugs Drug factory warning to landlords
(about 1 hour later)
Police in north Wales are reminding landlords to be on the lookout for tell-tale signs their properties are being targeted for illegal use. Landlords have been urged by police to be on the lookout for tell-tale signs that their properties are being targeted for drug production.
The warning comes after 12 Vietnamese nationals, who ran eight cannabis farms in north Wales, were jailed for a total of 32 years at Mold Crown Court.The warning comes after 12 Vietnamese nationals, who ran eight cannabis farms in north Wales, were jailed for a total of 32 years at Mold Crown Court.
Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the houses in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Denbighshire.Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the houses in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Denbighshire.
One landlord said he thought he was letting his house to students.One landlord said he thought he was letting his house to students.
A police spokeswoman said: "It is well known that organised crime gangs, particularly those involved in drug production, seek to distance themselves from any illegal activity to avoid being arrested.A police spokeswoman said: "It is well known that organised crime gangs, particularly those involved in drug production, seek to distance themselves from any illegal activity to avoid being arrested.
I thought I was letting the place to four young students and they gave me three months rent up front - the first I knew anything was wrong was when the police told me LandlordI thought I was letting the place to four young students and they gave me three months rent up front - the first I knew anything was wrong was when the police told me Landlord
InsuranceInsurance
"A convenient way of doing this is involvement in rental premises.""A convenient way of doing this is involvement in rental premises."
She said the North Wales force aimed to ensure that landlords were aware of the signs to look out for, to ensure their premises were not used for the production of illegal drugs. She said North Wales Police force aimed to ensure that landlords were aware of the signs to look out for, to ensure their premises were not used for the production of illegal drugs.
On Monday, Mold Crown Court heard that insurance companies paid out thousands of pounds to the owners of the properties involved.On Monday, Mold Crown Court heard that insurance companies paid out thousands of pounds to the owners of the properties involved.
TELL-TALE SIGNS FOR LANDLORDS Tenants paying large sums of cash for rentalsTenants being evasive and avoiding landlord visitsWindows being permanently blacked-outBy-products being removed in bin or laundry bagsPungent smellElectricity boxes tampered with, and high electric billsSource: North Wales Police TELL-TALE SIGNS FOR LANDLORDS Tenants paying large sums of cash for rentalsTenants being evasive and avoiding landlord visitsWindows being permanently blacked-outBy-products being removed in bin or laundry bagsPungent smellElectricity boxes tampered with, and high electric billsSource: North Wales Police
Damage was caused as rooms were turned into growing areas, with ventilation shafts cut into ceilings and electricity and water supplies installed.Damage was caused as rooms were turned into growing areas, with ventilation shafts cut into ceilings and electricity and water supplies installed.
The police spokeswoman added; "Property managers, landlords and owners need to be aware of the immense damage that is caused to properties by this kind of operation.The police spokeswoman added; "Property managers, landlords and owners need to be aware of the immense damage that is caused to properties by this kind of operation.
"There is also the potential danger they cause to any adjoining properties," she said."There is also the potential danger they cause to any adjoining properties," she said.
A booklet produced by North Wales Police called "Keeping Illegal Drugs Out of Rental Properties" gives advice on what to look out for she added. A booklet produced by North Wales Police called Keeping Illegal Drugs Out of Rental Properties gives advice on what to look out for she added.
One landlord whose property was used by the drug growers in Monday's case said £3,000 worth of damage had been caused. One landlord whose property was used by the drug growers in Monday's case said there had been £3,000 worth of damage to his property.
"I thought I was letting the place to four young students and they gave me three months rent up front," he told BBC Wales."I thought I was letting the place to four young students and they gave me three months rent up front," he told BBC Wales.
"The first I knew anything was wrong was when the police told me.""The first I knew anything was wrong was when the police told me."
The landlord - who does not want to be be named - said he was not allowed into the property by the police to see the extent of the damage, but it was "moisture and the electrics".The landlord - who does not want to be be named - said he was not allowed into the property by the police to see the extent of the damage, but it was "moisture and the electrics".
The place had now been re-done he added, and successfully re-let.The place had now been re-done he added, and successfully re-let.