BUSTED A MASSIVE drug factory which flooded Merseyside with millions of pounds worth of cannabis was finally shut down by police. The Bootle set-up raked in £1m a year through the sale of its illicit harvests. Four men were arrested during a raid last Wednesday, when officers seized hundreds of cannabis plants with a street value of £300,000. A 66-year-old from Bootle, a 52-year-old from Anfield, a 50-year-old from Fairfield and a 51-year-old of no fixed address were questioned on suspicion of cannabis production and released on bail. The factory, found in flats in Derby Road, was today described by officers as a major find. They suspected it was in operation for a significant amount of time. Officers from the Sefton Tactical Team unearthed four rooms used as a “production line” for growing the drug, including a nursery. There were another three rooms of plants at various stages of growth and harvesting. In total, 619 plants and 3kg of harvested cannabis were recovered. The factory had the ability to produce an annual yield worth £1m on the street. Officers appealed to anyone with information about this incident to come forward. Chief Inspector Zoe Thornton added: “We take the cultivation of cannabis extremely seriously and urge anyone who may have seen, heard or smelt anything suspicious in the area to contact us. “Cannabis and its associated crime brings misery to our communities and we are determined to put those involved in cultivating cannabis and other elements of the drugs trade before the courts. “To do that, we need the help of residents who may have vital information about those involved in the drugs trade to call us, anonymously if preferred, so we can take action and get these people and their drugs off our streets.” Just last month, police stormed a cannabis farm worth up to £8m a year, found 300 yards away in a derelict warehouse in Brasenose Road. That was said to be the biggest farm ever uncovered by the force. Those behind it are still being hunted. Anyone with information on the Derby Road and Brasenose Road farms, or drug-dealing in general, are asked to call Merseyside police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. | 
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