Two men arrested after £400,000 cannabis factory uncovered in Co Down warehouse

The cannabis farm discovered in a warehouse in County Down.

Police have uncovered a large-scale cannabis factory in the County Down area, capable of producing a yield worth around £400,000 per harvest, during a planned operation on Wednesday 20th August.

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Organised Crime Branch, supported by the Auto Crime Team, arrested two men aged 30 after stopping a vehicle leaving a warehouse outside Bangor earlier in the day.

Following searches, police discovered an extensive cannabis cultivation site spread across two floors inside the warehouse.

A second search was carried out at a property in Newtownabbey, where officers also recovered approximately £13,000 in cash.

£13,000 in cash seized during search of home in County Antrim

Detective Inspector Kelly from the Organised Crime Branch said:

“Both males were detained by police in a vehicle leaving the warehouse outside Bangor this morning. On entering the premises officers located a large cannabis cultivation spanning two floors.

“The potential street value of the yield from the cultivation would be in the region of £400,000 per harvest and a considerable amount of time and money has been invested in the enterprise by those involved. This has all the hallmarks of organized crime.”

Detective Inspector Kelly emphasised the wider impact of such activity:

“This type of criminality is far from victimless and a considerable policing operation is now ongoing to dismantle the facility. Our investigation is at an early stage and I would urge anyone with information to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 605 20/08/25.

“A report can be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”

The two men remain in police custody as enquiries continue.