Reptiles benefit from drugs raid

Kevin Frediani of Paignton Zoo said the equipment was good quality

A Devon zoo and the Eden Project in Cornwall have benefited from a big drugs bust in Plymouth.

Lights and other equipment used to help grow more than 1,500 cannabis plants at a house in the city have been donated to the tourist attractions.

They will be used to help grow plants and warm the zoo's reptiles.

Police have now raided 13 properties found to be growing cannabis in Devon and Cornwall and say they are "looking at" others.

Kevin Frediani of Paignton Zoo said: "It is good quality equipment, as the criminals are interested in both the quantity and quality of plants they grow.

"We are very happy to be able to turn these things to a more honest purpose."

All items with any sort of cannabis contamination were destroyed by the police, along with used pots, compost and any whole plants.

Det Con Mike Bradley, Devon and Cornwall's drugs intelligence officer, said: "I have seen many houses in recent times that have been badly damaged by criminals intent on making a large profit.

"Not only this, but the add-on effect of 50 600w light bulbs being on for at least 12 hours a day causes environmental issues, and they don't pay for the electricity either.

"To see some good coming out of these criminal activities is fantastic."