Cannabis factory uncovered in Strabane after police attend fire next door

A fire was reported at a property on Main Street in the town which at around 2.40am which the police and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service responded to.

While authorities were investigating the fire, a sophisticated drug operation was discovered in a neighbouring property and a 37-year-old man was arrested.

Chief Inspector Clive Beatty said: "Thankfully, this fire didn't spread to other flats and cause any injuries.

"While emergency services were at the scene, a small but sophisticated drug operation was discovered in a neighbouring property.

"Suspected Class B drugs, with an estimated street value of around £6,500, were seized along with drugs paraphernalia.

"Drugs have no place in our community and we will continue to do all we can to detect and prevent those who possess, deal and financially benefit from drug dealing and proactively work to break their criminal drug dealing networks. I am appealing to anyone with information about drug misuse, or drug dealing, to call us on the non-emergency number 101 or contact a member of the Neighbourhood team directly.

“Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/”