Wiltshire Police have uncovered what they describe as one of the county’s largest cannabis farms after locating an illegal growing operation inside a disused poultry unit near Burbage.
Scale and discovery
Officers attending the site found approximately 1,500 cultivated plants in a single-storey barn that had been extensively modified with internal rooms, lighting and irrigation to support large-scale cultivation. Detectives estimate the recovery has a potential street value of around £500,000.
“The sophisticated set-up included electricity illegally drawn directly from the National Grid to power hundreds of grow lamps, as well as a full irrigation system.”
Investigating officers say the site had been adapted into a series of compartments housing plants at different stages of maturity, from seedlings to mature bushes with buds. There were also signs that people had been living at the premises, with makeshift bedrooms and cooking facilities located within the barn.
Operational and safety issues
Detective Sergeant Joe Shanklin, who formed part of the search team, highlighted the technical complexity and hazards presented by the installation. Police estimates suggest the illegal extraction of power from the national grid to run lighting and other equipment amounted to roughly £1.5 million worth of electricity.
Teams conducting the search reported challenging conditions inside the structure, where officers had to wear protective masks and other equipment while working under temporary grow lights and in high temperatures.
- Site: disused poultry unit near Burbage
- Estimated plants recovered: around 1,500
- Estimated street value: about £500,000
- Estimated electricity theft: approximately £1.5 million
- Arrests: none reported; enquiries ongoing
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Plants recovered | ~1,500 |
| Estimated street value | £500,000 |
| Estimated electricity drawn | £1.5 million |
Police response and next steps
Wiltshire Police say the plants and associated equipment will be removed and destroyed. No arrests have been announced and enquiries remain ongoing as officers work to establish those responsible for the operation and how long it had been running.
Police appealed to the public for information about similar sites and suspicious activity. Members of the public are asked to report suspected cannabis farms and other illegal activity via 101, visiting wiltshire.police.uk, or contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The discovery follows a public tip-off which led officers to the unit on a Friday; investigators say intelligence from the community continues to be crucial in locating such organised sites.
This investigation will have implications both for local communities — where clandestine grows can present fire and electrical hazards — and for the National Grid, where illegal connections can create additional risks and costs. Wiltshire Police have not provided a timeline for further updates.
Local residents with information are encouraged to get in touch with the force to assist ongoing enquiries.
