Officers find cannabis factory through hole in Forest Gate wardrobe

Up to 600 plants were found hidden in a loft Archant

Officers searching a wardrobe for a man discovered the entrance to a large cannabis factory instead.

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Police were searching the property, in Rutland Road, East Ham, in a bid to locate the suspect following reports of an assault on two men, believed to be in their mid forties.

However, after failing to find their man, officers conducted a search of the property only to discover – through a hole in a wardrobe that was connected to the ceiling – some 600 cannabis plants growing in the loft.

Inspector Simon Hutchinson explained that officers were able to access the loft with a chair that was left under the hole in the cupboard.

He said: “A search of the address for the suspect identified hidden access to the loft via a wardrobe, the actual loft hatch had been plastered over.

“Police entered the loft via the secret entrance and found a fully functional cannabis factory, with over 600 plants and lighting equipment.”

Two men were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis. Enquiries are underway to identify the residential occupier of the premises.