On Friday evening, June 27, officers saw a van being loaded with garbage bags in front of a house on Wierdensestraat in Almelo. The officers smelled a strong odor of cannabis. When the officers identified themselves, a 33-year-old resident of Almelo was immediately arrested. Three others in the house attempted to flee but were apprehended within minutes. They all come from Almelo and are aged 19, 19, and 23 years.

Multiple Growing Rooms Found

During the search of the house, several rooms were found where cannabis was likely being grown. Various materials necessary for cultivation were present, and it was determined that there may have been theft of electricity. The cultivation facility itself had already been partially dismantled at the time of discovery. A large quantity of bags of potting soil, presumably containing cannabis remnants, was found in the van.

The suspects are currently still in custody. Further investigation will determine their roles in this discovery. The items have been seized by the police.

Curious About How to Recognize a Cultivation Facility?

A cultivation facility is characterized by:

• A strong cannabis odor;
• Extensive carpentry work for the establishment of the plantation, without a clear renovation;
• The house appears uninhabited, with someone occasionally coming by for an hour (to water the plants);
• Constant buzzing or rumbling noise from ventilation;
• Unknown vehicles loading and unloading large boxes or garbage bags every few weeks.

Keep Crime Out of Your Neighborhood

Everyone can help combat undermining crime and make our neighborhoods safer by recognizing and responding to suspicious signals. Call us immediately at 112 for suspicious situations or afterwards at 0900-8844. You can make an online report at www.politie.nl. Anonymous reporting is also possible at 0800-7000.