Major North East Cannabis Farms Uncovered So Far In 2026

Over the past year, police have uncovered a string of large-scale cannabis farms across Newcastle, Sunderland and Gateshead, highlighting the continued efforts of organised crime groups to use vacant buildings, homes and commercial properties to cultivate cannabis on an industrial scale.

From former schools and city centre buildings to residential streets, Northumbria Police has dismantled thousands of cannabis plants in multiple operations, with officers repeatedly warning that these sites are often linked to wider organised crime, including money laundering, violence and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

Former Sunderland school becomes latest discovery.

The latest major discovery came after Northumbria Police responded to reports of suspicious activity at the former Sunderland High School on Gray Road in Hendon.

Firearms officers attended the scene as a precaution before uncovering a suspected cannabis farm containing approximately 800 plants inside Langham Tower, part of the Grade II listed school complex.

Two men were arrested during the operation. One man in his 40s was later released on police bail pending further enquiries, while a second man in his 50s was released without further action.

The cannabis farm is currently being dismantled as officers continue their investigation.

Newcastle city centre property hides suspected grow.

Earlier this year, another suspected cannabis farm was uncovered in Newcastle city centre after emergency services responded to a fire at a property close to Haymarket Bus Station on Northumberland Street.

The blaze prompted a police cordon while officers and forensic investigators examined the building, eventually discovering evidence of suspected cannabis cultivation inside. The case demonstrated that organised crime groups are increasingly operating in busy urban areas rather than just remote industrial sites.

Gateshead raids uncover hundreds of plants.

Gateshead has also seen several significant cannabis farm discoveries.

In Windy Nook, officers uncovered a cannabis farm containing more than 250 plants with an estimated street value of around £200,000 after acting on intelligence gathered during an investigation.

Another incident in Bensham saw emergency services respond to a fire at a property on Windsor Avenue. As firefighters tackled the blaze, police discovered what was believed to be another cannabis cultivation site hidden inside the building.

Investigations into both incidents formed part of Northumbria Police's wider efforts to disrupt organised crime groups operating across Tyneside.

Hendon becomes a hotspot for police operations.

Few areas have seen as many cannabis farm discoveries recently as Hendon in Sunderland.

During a 48-hour period in November, officers uncovered three separate cannabis farms across the neighbourhood after acting on information from members of the public.

The first was found on Hastings Street, where around 410 cannabis plants were recovered.

The following day, officers discovered another cannabis farm hidden within the roof space of a property on Tower Street West. As searches continued, a third cultivation site was uncovered inside an adjoining building.

In total, around 600 plants were recovered from the two Tower Street West properties, bringing the number of plants seized across the three Hendon locations to more than 1,000 in just two days.

Police described the discoveries as another example of the important role local intelligence plays in tackling organised crime.

Sunderland raids continue.

The Sunderland High School raid was not the first large-scale cannabis operation uncovered in the city.

Earlier investigations led officers to a boarded-up property on Tunstall Terrace, where around 150 cannabis plants were found growing across six purpose-built cultivation rooms. The case later resulted in criminal proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court.

The repeated discoveries have prompted police to continue urging residents to report suspicious activity around vacant buildings and residential properties.

Why the North East remains a target.

Investigators say organised crime groups are increasingly targeting empty schools, commercial buildings, warehouses and vacant homes because they often remain unoccupied for long periods while still providing access to electricity and multiple rooms.

These properties can attract less day-to-day attention than occupied homes, making them attractive locations for large-scale cannabis cultivation.

The National Crime Agency has repeatedly warned that many cannabis farms are linked to organised criminal networks involved in wider offending, including money laundering, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The figures behind organised crime.

According to the National Crime Agency, organised crime costs the UK economy more than £47 billion every year, with drug trafficking representing one of the country's largest illegal markets.

Police forces across England and Wales dismantle thousands of cannabis farms annually, ranging from small domestic grows to industrial-scale operations hidden inside commercial premises.

The National Crime Agency has also highlighted that some people found working inside cannabis farms are victims of exploitation, having been coerced or trafficked into maintaining the sites under threats or debt bondage. These cases can involve modern slavery as well as drug offences.

Public information continues to make a difference.

Northumbria Police says many major cannabis farm investigations begin with information supplied by local residents who notice unusual activity at nearby properties.

While suspicious smells, permanently covered windows, excessive heat or unusual activity can all prompt enquiries, police advise people never to enter suspected cannabis farms themselves.

Instead, officers encourage anyone with concerns to report information through official channels so investigations can be carried out safely.

The recent discoveries across Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland show that organised crime remains an ongoing challenge across the North East, but they also demonstrate the continued success of police operations in disrupting large-scale cannabis production.

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