A COUPLE have spoken of their concerns after a rented property was used as a cannabis factory.
It is believed up to £1m worth of cannabis could have been grown in little over four months at a property in Hedon.
The tenant left in December and all that remains are 330 empty plant pots and a repair bill believed to be more than £40,000.
Phil Stephenson, whose brother owns the property and rents it out through a reputable estate agents, filmed the damage and uploaded the footage onto YouTube.
His wife, Tracey, said she has heard of drugs factories being set up in rented accommodation elsewhere in the region.
She said: "I've spoken to a few people who rent out homes in East Yorkshire who say exactly the same thing has happened to them."
Phil Stephenson said: "Since my brother emigrated to America a few years ago, I have kept my eye on the property.
"I initially tried to get into the house just to introduce myself and hand over a phone number, but I couldn't open the door as there was a key inside.
"The next I heard was when we saw an abandonment notice on the front door when we drove past earlier this year.
"We had a closer look and the door was unlocked, so we had a look.
"It is devastating. The floors, carpet and walls are damaged and the kitchen needs replacing.
"Internal built-in wardrobes have been ripped out and there are holes in the wall – the damage could cost more than £40,000 to fix."
A neighbour called the police towards the end of August, concerned about the windows being blacked-out, the sounds of fans in the evenings and a strange glow from under the door.
Mrs Stephenson has complained to the police about their response.
She said: "I think it is disgusting that nothing was done to stop this.
"The police came round following the neighbour's complaints and she was told they would get back to her, which they never did.
"What is the point in reporting suspicions of drugs farm, if nothing is going to be done about it.
"This whole situation might have been avoided."
A police spokesman said house-to-house enquiries were carried out last year following the neighbour's complaint and heat analysis was carried out by the police helicopter over the Hedon area.
She said: "Investigations are still under way.
"Production of any form of illegal substance will not be tolerated and fully investigated.
"Members of the public are our eyes and ears and if residents believe there could be any suspicious activity they should call us.
"We will continue to tackle and deal with the issue of illegal drugs."
No arrests have been made.
