Police find underground cannabis factory containing 120 plants near Maghera

The plants were reported to have been discovered when police searched premises at Moneysharvin Road on Tuesday, October 19 following an arrest on Sunday.

Detective Sergeant Kelly Gallagher from Reactive and Organised Crime Branch in Coleraine, said: “A routine road-stop was conducted of a vehicle at Portstewart Road, Coleraine, and a small amount of cannabis was found during a search of the vehicle, which was being driven by 47-year-old man.

“A search was then conducted at an address near Maghera, and a man aged 22 was also arrested for possession of cannabis.

“A search of the surrounding land uncovered an underground cannabis factory contained within three containers that had been dug into the ground. A total of 120 cannabis plants were discovered.

“Both men were bailed for two weeks to allow financial checks to be completed and the scene to be fully examined.”