Update
Men appear in court after cannabis raid

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A GROUP of men charged after a raid on a cannabis factory in Redditch have appeared in court.

Long Vu Hoang, 25, and Cien Nguyen, 29, both pleaded guilty at Redditch Magistrates' Court and were remanded in custody to appear before Worcester Crown Court for sentencing on December 21.

Visvaldis Lukss, 56, and Valentinas Cizikovas, 46, did not enter pleas and were remanded in custody to appear again before magistrates on Wednesday, November 28. All four men are of no fixed address.

Their appearance followed the discovery of around 800 plants at two neighbouring properties in Other Road after a police raid on Tuesday (November 20). The estimated street value of the discovery is about half a million pounds.

Insp Ian Joseph, of West Mercia Police, said: "This is a significant discovery of what appears to be a large scale cannabis factory at two interlinking properties.

"The plants will need to be tested, but we believe this seizure has prevented a large quantity of cannabis ending up on the streets.

"Drugs cause a great deal of misery for people, not only users and their families, but in terms of associated crime, as use of cannabis leads on to other drugs, with addicts then turning to theft and burglary to fund their habit."

He added tackling drugs was a priority for West Mercia Police and officers would continue to take action against anyone involved with its production, use and supply.

"To achieve this we need support from people living in our communities who can supply us with information about illegal drug activity. If members of the public suspect drugs are being produced or supplied at an address, please come forward and tell us."

Anyone with any information about drugs should contact West Mercia Police on the non-emergency number 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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