DRUGS with a street value of £200,000 have been taken off the streets after police discovered a cannabis farm in an empty shop.

More than 100 cannabis plants were found in the basement of the store in Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

Officers acting on a tip-off broke down the back door of the premises and smashed their way into the basement where an "organised cannabis farm operation" was being run, with about 125 plants worth £50,000 — which police said could produce £200,000 worth of the drug every year.

They discovered four makeshift growing tents, two of which were in the basement, with the lamps being powered by "tampered electrics".

Officers believe this is at least the second lot of plants to have been grown in the building, with the latest just being a few weeks old and not ready for harvesting.

It is thought the premises have been used to grow cannabis for at least nine months.

The raid was carried out by four officers from Bolton Central Neighbourhood Policing Team.

PC Carl Boydell said: "This operation is a result of information being passed on to Crimestoppers.

"We obtained a warrant to go in, and discovered the plants.

"The electricity has been tampered with which puts people in neighbouring properties at risk.

“There have been instances when we have discovered cannabis plants like this that the electricity board has evacuated people from neighbouring premises immediately because it was so dangerous.”

No one was in the premises at the time of the raid and police are now making enquiries to trace the people behind operation.

Fertiliser and bags of soil were discovered at the premises.

Crime Scene Investigators were at the scene and plants and lamps have been taken away to be examined.

The plants will be incinerated once police have concluded their investigation.

PC Boydell urged residents who have suspicions that people are growing cannabis to contact them via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 directly or through 101.

Neighbouring businesses welcomed the discovery.

One businessman who asked not to be named said: “I am surprised. I had no idea that there was a cannabis farm.

“I am glad it has been discovered by police because of the way electricity is tampered with putting people at risk.

“It is more drugs off the street.”

In September of this year police uncovered a huge cannabis farm was found inside a disused town centre nightclub in Bank Street.

Officers found 500 plants with the potential to yield £1 million a year.