The UK club scene was famously popularised by the notorious Manchester nightclub The Hacienda, which was essentially a factory building that had been converted into a nightclub, modelled on iconic New York City clubs like the Danceteria.
It set a precedent for the UK clubs that followed, with many a dance spot opening up in former warehouses and abandoned factory spaces. But what happens when a nightclub that previously served as a warehouse is abandoned? Well, it becomes a warehouse again.
In the case of Club Wired, in Warrington, UK, which was recently raided by British police, the space housed a 1,600-plant ‘field’ of hydroponically grown marijuana. The planation was said to contain up to £1.5m of weed, with an approximately £6m street value.
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“This was a significant find and fortunately, we have been able to put a stop to it. Over 1,600 Cannabis plants of varying stages of growth have been recovered from inside the premises,” Inspector Richie Watts from Warrington Town NPU said in a media release.
“This is a great result as we believe that these drugs could well have been destined for the streets of Warrington or further afield. This is an extremely large cannabis factory, and we estimate the street value of all of the plants is approximately £1.5 million.”
The Warrington Guardian reports that four suspects have been charged on suspicion of producing a class B drug after the cannabis farm was discovered. Meanwhile, Le Trung, 48, and Tuan van Phan, 35, were formally charged on Saturday and are due to appear in court on 23rd February.
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According to the Warrington Guardian, the foursome, which included two unidentified juveniles who were brought up on the same charges, were arrested after they were discovered by officers attempting to hide in the property, with one of the suspects reportedly trying to conceal his presence beneath the plants.
“Members of the public can rest assured that our efforts in this area will continue. Information from members of the public is vital in the fight against drug related crime. Drug use and supply is an issue of concern for the local community and we continue to do all we can to put a stop to this sort of activity,” said Insp Watts.
Readers who’ve ever wondered what a large-scale nightclub filled with hydroponically grown marijuana looks like can check out images, courtesy of the Manchester Evening News, below.
