POLICE believe they have smashed a potential drugs ring after arresting two more people in connection with a cannabis factory.

Following a raid in Whitehead Street on June 3, the town centre neighbourhood policing team (NPT) arrested two suspects for conspiracy to supply a class B drug.

“I want the person behind the cannabis factory to be brought to justice. They are a blight on our town centre and fuel associated crime in the area.”

- PC Paul Bezzant of the town centre team
Earlier this month the Adver ran a story that officers had recovered more than 150 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of around £2,000 at the house in Whitehead Street as the result of a tip-off from the community.

PC Paul Bezzant of the town centre team conducted further enquiries into the cannabis factory after the first raid, which lead to two further warrants being executed in Buttermere, Liden and Seagry Court, Penhill last Tuesday, June 7.

A 27-year-old and 49-year-old man were arrested and taken to Gablecross after a significant amount of drug-related paraphernalia was found. The equipment has been sent for analysis and forensic examination, and the pair have been bailed.

PC Bezzant said: “We have had a good result with the initial arrest on June 3 as a result of community intelligence, however, quite often the person at the premises is just the hired help or ‘gardener’ for cultivating cannabis.

“I want the person behind the cannabis factory to be brought to justice. They are a blight on our town centre and fuel associated crime in the area.”

Sergeant Louis McCoy, of the town centre NPT, paid tribute to the hard work of his officers.

He said: “Two adult males have been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply a class B drug and released on Police bail following questioning.

“The further arrests demonstrate Wiltshire Police's determination to tackle drug crime head on and pursue all viable lines of enquiry.

“PC Bezzant worked a 20-hour shift to achieve the arrests and securing of evidence from which we hope to gain a successful prosecution and this is a testament to him and his professionalism.”