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Today in Focus

Finding a cannabis farm in your house

Mar 10, 2025
Sirin Kale, a Guardian feature writer, uncovers the dark realities of illegal cannabis farms and the criminal networks behind them. Kinta Jackson shares her personal story of how her father's home was turned into a cannabis farm by a rogue letting agency. They delve into shocking tales of hidden damage, exploitation, and the lack of local law enforcement response. The discussion highlights the sophistication of rental scams and the broader implications of this hidden crisis, revealing a disturbing intersection of crime and community.
30:16

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast highlights the devastating impact of a rogue letting agency, Imperial, which transformed rental properties into illegal cannabis farms, causing significant damage to homes.
  • It also underscores the systemic failures of law enforcement and authorities in supporting victims of such criminal schemes, leaving them feeling abandoned and frustrated.

Deep dives

Discovery of the Cannabis Farm

The story revolves around the shocking discovery that a family's rental property had been transformed into a cannabis farm. Hadjaj, a retired father, initially sought to rent out his home through a letting agency called Imperial, which appeared professional and trustworthy. After recovering from a severe COVID-19 illness, Hadjaj found that rent payments had stopped, prompting his family to investigate the property. Upon visiting, they discovered that the house had been heavily damaged, with signs of a large-scale cannabis operation including fans, hidden doors, and extensive damage from the illegal cultivation.

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