Cannabis cultivation site discovered in flat off Forres High Street
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POLICE have discovered cannabis being cultivated in the centre of Forres.
A flat in an alley between High Street and Leask Road was emptied of its contents into a skip by forensics today.
A police spokesperson said: "Following enquiries at a property in High Street, Forres, a cannabis cultivation site has been discovered within the premises. Enquiries are ongoing."
Officers have been at the property at the High Street end of the alley since Sunday evening.
A spokesman explained: "Around 11pm on Sunday, February 14, police were informed of water pouring out a of building in the high street.
"Further enquiries resulted in police officers searching the property under warrant and enquiries are ongoing in respect of this.
"A police presence remains outside the property at this time."
The alley houses residential properties, a tackle shop, pet shop and pharmacist.
The skip on the high street was filled with items including electrical appliances, foil, un-potted soil and roots.
A man who wishes to remain nameless told the Gazette that he was passing through the alleyway at around 7pm on Sunday evening when he noticed water coming from the tackle and pet shops.
He contacted the tackle shop owner who discovered that the water was coming from the flat above, which has its own entrance.
The shop owner informed the police, who, unable to reach the flat owner, forced entry.
The passer-by said: "Through the window, I saw the water pouring from the ceiling of the flat above one room in particular which made me think that the water tank had burst.
"When the police arrived and couldn't find the stopcock, they then went to the fusebox to turn the power off. After they'd flicked the switch they said that the power remained on which tells me the fusebox had been bypassed."
