A furious landlord has been left with a £60,000 repair bill after three of his properties were turned into cannabis factories.
The illegal cultivations were uncovered following routine checks at houses owned by Fergus Wilson in Ashford, Aylesford and Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone.
Police found cannabis plants growing at all three homes, which had been emptied previously in preparation to sell them.
Mr Wilson uncovered the first at a property in Lodge Wood Drive, Ashford, on April 11.
“The first thing I noticed that surprised me was that all the windows had been boarded up,” said the 76-year-old.
“It was clear to me it was what we call a cannabis factory – I wasn’t too impressed at all.”
Mr Wilson called a property agent, who gained access to the house and alerted police after finding the drug-growing operation.
A man is also reported to have been inside the house, but ran off before officers arrived.
The following day, more cannabis was found growing at a house in Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea.
Mr Wilson says on this occasion he saw a man dash out of the back of the home, jumping over garden fences as he fled.
Two weeks later, on April 27, a third cultivation was found at a house in Keats Road, Aylesford.
Forensic examinations were carried out at all three properties, but no arrests have yet been made.
Photos taken inside the Ashford house show how the criminals used power tools to cut through walls, ceiling and floors to make way for ventilation pipes.
Mr Wilson estimates the damage will cost him £20,000 per property to repair – money he says cannot be claimed back on insurance.
“It makes me angry,” he added.
“I mean, how would these people feel if this was being done to their properties?
“I feel aggrieved and violated, but unfortunately it’s a symptom of the day, and it’s widespread all over Kent.”
Mr Wilson has been critical of the police’s investigations, believing that sufficient evidence has been available to them, including CCTV and a hire van found on the drive of one of the properties.
“My feeling, three months on, is that I might as well have not reported it to police,” he said.
“Next time I don’t think I’ll bother. It’s taking them far too long to investigate this.
“I understand that other crimes – like violent offences – take priority, but it’s very frustrating. The issue is, they don’t have enough officers.”
A police spokesperson says meaningful progress has been made in their investigations, with “officers pursuing a number of lines of enquiry to identify those responsible”.
Chief Inspector Omid Changizi added: “Kent Police regards tackling the cultivation of cannabis as a priority as it is often managed by organised crime groups.
“The offenders regularly use rental properties and can produce a considerable amount of the drug using sophisticated hydroponic equipment.
“Where we receive reports of cannabis cultivation at an address, officers will be promptly deployed to arrest any suspects at the scene.
“All plants and equipment are seized and a forensic examination completed to identify those responsible.”
Anybody who suspects cannabis is being cultivated at an address in their neighbourhood is urged to contact Kent Police.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111 or using the anonymous online form on their website.
