Friday, January 16, 2026
An investigation is underway after two cannabis farms were found on the same day in Blackburn. Officers from the Blackburn with Darwen Neighbourhood Policing Team uncovered two significant drug cultivation sites and recovered multiple stolen vehicles following two separate activities conducted in the town on Wednesday 14 January 2026.
Neighbourhood officers, alongside the local Task Force executed a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at an address at Wellington Mill, Sharples Street, Blackburn, following local intelligence.
Officers gained entry to the premises, where they discovered a sophisticated cannabis-cultivation operation comprising of 1,125 plants across two floors. A substantial quantity of associated items was also recovered, including cash, weapons and drug paraphernalia.
During a wider search of the building, officers located a number of stolen vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, Surron bikes and other vehicle parts. Subsequent checks confirmed that the items had been stolen from locations across East Lancashire as well as from other areas.
A 36-year-old man from Preston and a 44-year-old man from Blackburn were arrested at the scene. Both have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Later that same day, officers were called to reports of suspicious activity at an address on Preston New Road, Blackburn. Members of the public has reported seeing three men leaving an abandoned property carrying large bags believed to contain cannabis.
On arrival at the scene, officers located a second cannabis farm containing 407 plants.
A 35-year-old man from Rochdale was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation, burglary and abstracting electricity. He has been bailed whilst investigations continue.
Inspector Tony Ashworth, from the Blackburn with Darwen Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The discovery of these two cannabis farms reveals the scale and seriousness of this criminal activity in our communities, the impact of which cannot be understated. Cannabis cultivation can have strong links to organised crime and modern slavery, and it is absolutely unacceptable and not something we want in Lancashire.
“We will continue to target those involved in the production of illegal drugs and the handling of stolen property and we urge the public to keep reporting information to us.
If anyone has any information, please contact 101 or you can report online here https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/
Operation Warrior is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
It aims to target the individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation, and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities.
We would encourage you, if you haven’t done so already, to take our Lancashire Talking survey. You can also sign up to In the Know to keep updated with what’s going on in your area, visit https://www.stayintheknow.co.uk/.
