Police uncovered 48,328 cannabis plants, 65 weapons, and 19 modern slavery victims in nationwide raids.

A sweeping police operation has dismantled a massive network of illegal cannabis farms, seizing £48m worth of drugs and exposing the dark world of modern slavery. Authorities arrested 242 people and executed 368 warrants across England and Wales as part of a targeted crackdown on organised crime.

The operation, backed by the National Crime Agency (NCA), uncovered a total of 48,328 cannabis plants, with illegal grows hidden inside abandoned buildings, rented houses, and even warehouses. The scale of the operation shocked investigators, revealing how deeply entrenched cannabis production has become in criminal networks.

In addition to drugs, officers confiscated 65 weapons, including 14 firearms, and seized nearly £200,000 in cash. Police say the bust highlights the growing links between illegal cannabis farms, human trafficking, and violent crime.

Among those arrested, 19 individuals were identified as suspected victims of modern slavery, forced to work under debt bondage in hazardous conditions. Many had been trafficked into the UK under false promises of legitimate employment, only to find themselves trapped in gruelling, unpaid labour inside cannabis farms.

Authorities described the conditions as appalling, with workers often locked inside properties for weeks at a time, sleeping on floors and forced to tend the plants 24 hours a day under constant surveillance.

Large-scale cannabis farms have long been a key source of income for organised crime gangs, funding other serious criminal activities such as money laundering, human trafficking, and violent offences. Police say that dismantling these operations strikes a major financial blow to these networks.

Law enforcement also raised concerns about the fire hazards posed by these illegal farms. Many of the properties contained dangerously modified electrical systems, making them a serious risk to neighbouring homes and businesses.

The success of the raids has been hailed as a major victory, but officials warn that cannabis production remains a growing problem. Criminal gangs continuously adapt their methods, moving locations frequently to evade detection.

Members of the public are being urged to report any suspicious activity, with police advising landlords and neighbours to look out for blacked-out windows, unusual odours, high electricity usage, and people entering properties at odd hours.

While this operation has disrupted a significant portion of the UK’s illegal cannabis trade, law enforcement agencies acknowledge that the fight against drug-related crime and modern slavery is far from over. Investigations are ongoing, and further arrests are expected in the coming weeks.