A LARGE quantity of cannabis plants with a street value believed to be more than £80,000 has been recovered from a house near Freshwater, The Gazette can reveal.

The haul was discovered during a pre-planned police raid at a house in Newport Road, Shalcombe, this morning (Sunday, November 21).

A 48-year-old local female was arrested at the premises and taken into custody on suspicion of cultivating cannabis with intent to supply.

She is currently in custody at Newport Police Station being questioned by drug squad officers from Island CID.

Sergeant Stuart Ross from Hampshire and IW Police said: “Officers from the pro-active unit and local policing team conducted the search after executing a warrant obtained from Newport magistrates court. One woman is currently under arrest and helping police with their enquiries.

A shocked neighbour, who did not wish be named, said she had only seen the owner and his son a few times. “He had been renovating the property for a number of years,” she added.

Since the police arrived at 10am this morning the house has been a hive of police activity all day.

With officers coming and going from the property at about 1pm, a scene of crime van turned up as well. Four police vehicles have been parked at the property since then.

The Gazette has learned through sources that a substantial quantity of cannabis plants had been found in a cannabis growing environment within the premises, with a street value of over £80,000, and been seized.

Forensic officers wearing white paper suits spent the afternoon photographing the haul whilst uniformed officers removed large paper bags stuffed full of plants.

Inspector Andy Treagus of the Isle of Wight’s Targeted Patrol teams (TPT) said: “This warrant was part of our ongoing campaign to disrupt and detect supplies of illegal drugs to the island. These operations take place thanks to a combined effort involving the Isle of Wight Community Safety Partnership and the Drug Action Team, which are committed to work that demonstrates drugs will not be tolerated on our island.”

Anyone with information about drugs affecting the community is encouraged to phone the police on 101 or

0845 045 45 45. Phone the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.