Cannabis farm found during immigration raid in Brighton

A cannabis farm was found when immigration officers raided a house in Brighton yesterday morning (Monday 27 January).

The Home Office said that its officers were acting on intelligence when they raided the house in St James’s Street Mews at about 6.15am yesterday.

They carried out immigration checks and arrested a 33-year-old Algerian man who had overstayed his visa.

Officers searched the building and found about 70 cannabis plants in a bedroom.

They called Sussex Police and local officers are now questioning the man.

Richard Lederle, head of the Kent and Sussex Home Office Immigration Enforcement team, said: “This was an excellent piece of work by all officers involved.

“Not only did they arrest an individual who was in the UK illegally but they’ve also prevented a quantity of Class B drugs making it on to our streets.

“This was the latest in a series of operations targeting illegal immigration in Sussex and for those who are living and working here illegally there is no hiding place.”

Inspector James Davidson, from Sussex Police, said: “The operation has led to the dismantling of a small-scale cannabis farm.

“It shows the benefits that come from working with partners like Home Office Immigration Enforcement.”