Northampton Police Raid One of Largest UK Cannabis Factories in Former Casino

Northamptonshire Police uncovered one of the largest cannabis factories ever found in the UK inside the former Aspers casino building in Northampton, spanning multiple floors with over 7,000 plants in various growth stages. The operation was highly fortified, with doors bricked up and rooms reinforced with steel to deter entry, necessitating specialist officers using chainsaws to gain access. A 36-year-old man named Mantas Pipiras was arrested at the scene and charged with producing a controlled Class B drug. Police emphasized that the scale of the operation indicates involvement of an organized criminal group, which likely exploits and traffics vulnerable people under threat of violence. The discovery followed public intelligence tips, and officers remain on site to dismantle the factory and ensure safety. Authorities highlighted the broader focus beyond drug seizure to targeting those who cause harm and exploitation within such illicit enterprises.