Authorities find illegal marijuana cultivation at Historic Castle in the UK

In the UK, police reportedly discovered that a 17th century castle was being used as a massive cannabis cultivation facility.

The castle in the southern Somerset region apparently belongs to a “controversial British aristocrat” named Sir Benjamin Slade. Known as Woodlands Castle, it is “known locally as a high-end wedding venue and is just a few miles from Slade’s other castle – a 13th-century ancestral home,” according to Canadian newspaper Regina Leader-Post.

The newspaper reported that Slade “has long been a provocative figure among British colleagues thanks to his massive firearms collection and provocative remarks (particularly regarding women and foreigners) after he once placed an ad asking for a ‘lock-trained’ ‘ Wife had been looking for who would be a good ‘breeder.’ “

He apparently offered Woodlands Castle to the UK government as a medical site during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Leader Post says that “the proposal was apparently turned down and he instead rented the property,” which authorities believe they will at that point that Slade knew nothing of the illegal marijuana operation in the castle.

“The officials took several days to remove plants and attachments from the building, but did not state whether the cultivation had damaged the centuries-old property,” the newspaper reported. “Trung Nam Pham, 39, was arrested and appeared in court last week on charges. He will remain in custody pending a hearing in front of the Crown Court.

In a statement, local police said one man was “charged with producing controlled drug B” and two others were arrested in connection with the operation.

Discoveries of illegal cannabis cultivation in the UK aren’t limited to the Castle Limited

The bust commemorates another similar discovery made by British authorities earlier this year.

In January, London police discovered what they called “a major cannabis factory” in the heart of the city’s financial district. Police discovered 826 plants in the so-called factory after an investigation was triggered by reports of “strong cannabis smell” in the area. London police said they believe the huge operation was encouraged by the lack of activity due to the shutdown measures imposed by the pandemic.

“This is the first cannabis factory in the city, and it was no doubt built in response to fewer people who might have noticed unusual activity during the pandemic. However, it shows that the City of London Police are still actively monitoring the Square Mile and engaging in every crime committed here, ”said Andy Spooner, the London detective who conducted the investigation into the cannabis factory.

The bust came near the location of the Bank of England, which attracted the attention of Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey.

“We’re going to be the subject of endless jokes now about ‘now we know what the Bank of England did,'” said Bailey. “I’m sure there will be many other jokes. It is very quiet around the Bank of England, I should say. “

The discovery was even stranger in 2019, when London police found a large cannabis farm under a 120-year-old Victorian theater.

The authorities explained this on the basis of a statement by a London police spokesman: “On October 1, officials were called to an address after reports of a disturbance. They discovered large numbers of cannabis plants along with equipment for growing cannabis in an area below residential properties. Three men aged 28, 45 and 47 and a 36-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of growing cannabis. They were all released as part of the investigation. “

While finding illegal cannabis growers is a common occurrence, uncovering one housed in a historic castle is definitely unusual.