Sense it. Spot it.
Cannabis Cultivation
? Count the signs. If you see one or more of these signs at a property consider making a referral to the appropriate organisation. Alongside these specific signs can you identify any signs that suggest movement, recruitment, deception, coercion or exploitation?
What is Cannabis Cultivation?
Children and teenagers, largely from South East Asia, particularly Vietnam, are forced to work as ‘gardeners' or as onsite security in ‘cannabis factories'. The majority of these factories are set up in perfectly ordinary-looking rented residential premises.
If you identify a cannabis farm, and there is one or two children, teenagers or young adults in the property there would be cause for concern that this individual has been trafficked and forced to work this situation.
Look at the general indicators to support the case.
Outside the property
Inside the property
People connected with the property
Back up
Dig deeper
Windows
Are there metal grills over the windows outside or are they permanently covered on the inside?
Sealed
Do the letterbox or any doors at the property appear to have been sealed from inside?
Windows
Do the windows have reflective film or coatings applied to them? This is used to reflect heat back into the property.
Equipment
Is there an amout of compost bags, black sacks, laundry bags or gardening equipment left outside in the rear of the premises that seems out of the ordinary?
Vent
Can you see a vent protruding through the roof of the property or through a rear window that looks out of place?
Electricity
Is there any sign that electricity may have been tacked on from neighbouring properties or directly from powerlines?
Access
Have you been told to call before turning up at the property or told to come back another time?
Sounds
Can you hear any noise which is out of the ordinary for the type of property? This may be coming from cooling fans.
Odour
Is there a pungent smell around the property? This may be more obvious where there is a vent or doorway.
Clinical
Does the inside of the property appear to be very clinical, almost like a laboratory?
Plastic Sheets
Can you see any plastic draped over doorways or visible around doors? This is used to help keep the odour inside the property.
Lease
Is the property rented on a short lease of around six months? Operations frequently moves to another property or area after a crop is harvested which is about this much time.
Visits
Have you noticed regular visits to a residential property where people do not seem to live?
Minors
Is there a young person kept or left at the property? In past the pattern has been for teenage Vietnamese or Chinese boys to be left in the property to act as security.
Hours
Are visits to the property late at night or early in the morning and maybe no more than twice a week?
Fluctuations
In contrast to other visiting patterns has there been a rush of activity involving vans lasting around a week? This will occur when a crop is ready for harvesting.
Supplies
When the irregular visits to the property occur have you noticed visitors arriving with supplies? This is often the purpose of their visit.
