Blazing flat was a cannabis hothouse

Officers from Police Scotland have seized a quantity of

cannabis plants after attending a house fire at a flat in Cathcart.

At around 7pm on Friday, May 8, emergency services attended a report of a fire within a flat in Tankerland Road, Cathcart.

The fire was extinguished and a quantity of cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £20,000 were discovered inside.

Police say no-one was in the flat at this time and enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the person or persons responsible for growing the plants.

Detective Chief Inspector Una Maider said: “I cannot emphasise enough the risk of fire to residential properties that have been turned into cannabis factories.

“I would urge neighbours and landlords to report anything suspicious to police.”

She added: “The growing of cannabis plants in residential properties can cause huge devastation and is very dangerous. I would like to send out a strong message to those involved in this type of criminal activity that we will continue to actively target those responsible in an effort to rid our local communities of this type of crime.”

Members of the public are have been asked to report any suspicions to Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.

Some factors to be aware of are: 
n Windows are permanently covered from the inside 
nVisits to the premises occur at unusual times
n People often do not live in the premises and only visit to maintain them. 
n Offenders may call but usually do not stay long.