PROPERTY SEARCH

Date Published: 17/08/2022

ARCHIVED - Expat caught with 255 marijuana plants after fire at his Alicante home

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Alicante police also arrested the 29-year-old Polish man for illegal possession of weapons

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Expat caught with 255 marijuana plants after fire at his Alicante home

The Guardia Civil in Alicante has arrested a 29-year-old Polish man for growing marijuana at his home in the Alicante town of Monóvar.

Officers, together with the Local Police, firefighters and medics were called to the property after neighbours alerted emergency services to a fire in which "flames were spreading rapidly".

Once the blaze had been brought under control by fire crews, police entered the house to check that no one was in danger and found the detainee who was subsequently treated for smoke inhalation.

What they didn't expect to find was a marijuana plantation.

After requesting the relevant judicial authorisation, the Guardia Civil carried out an exhaustive search of the house and discovered 255 marijuana plants distributed in "sophisticated plantations" inside two rooms, perfectly equipped for large-scale illegal cultivation.

"The house, a luxurious two-storey detached house with a large wooded plot, private swimming pool and even a five-a-side football pitch, was used exclusively for illegal crop growing," according to police sources.

Investigators suspect the fire started when the arrestee tried to get rid of the remains of other plants by burning them in the garden at the back of the property.

During the search, police also seized three mobile phones they believe the Polish man was using to communicate without being discovered, and an illegal revolver with ammunition.

The 29-year-old, who was renting the property, has been charged with marijuana cultivation, the illegal possession of weapons and electricity fraud.

He has appeared before Novelda Magistrates' Court where he was remanded in custody.

Now read: Fire crews tackle deliberate fire in Torrevieja and blaze near power plant in Los Montesinos

Image: Guardia Civil

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