The largest illegal cannabis farm ever found in Scotland has been uncovered inside a former college building. About 5,000 plants were found inside the Nairn Building, formerly part of Fife College's Priory Campus, in Kirkcaldy during a police raid last week. Officers said the class A drug, which weighed almost one metric tonne (1,000kg), had a value of about £12m. An investigation into the cultivation remains ongoing. Det Insp Samantha Davidson described it as the "most significant cultivation ever seen in Scotland". She added: "This was a sizeable and highly organised cultivation with the potential to generate a multi-million-pound return through illegal means. "We will continue to act on intelligence and use all available resources at our disposal to disrupt the production and supply of controlled drugs. The Nairn building, which is category B-listed, was a former mill before being taken over by Fife College. It closed its doors to students in 2016 and was later sold off to developers. A planning application to build 39 flats alongside a gym and retail space was lodged in 2021, but the site has remained empty ever since.
'Largest ever' cannabis farm found in former college campus
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"Police Discover Largest Illegal Cannabis Farm in Scotland at Former College"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Authorities in Scotland have uncovered the largest illegal cannabis farm in the country's history, located within a former college building in Kirkcaldy. Approximately 5,000 cannabis plants were discovered during a police raid at the Nairn Building, which was once part of Fife College's Priory Campus. The illegal cultivation, which was estimated to weigh close to one metric tonne (1,000 kg), has a potential street value of around £12 million. This significant find has prompted an ongoing investigation into the illegal drug operation, with Detective Inspector Samantha Davidson labeling it as the most substantial cannabis cultivation operation ever encountered in Scotland. Davidson emphasized the organized nature of the operation, highlighting its potential to generate multi-million-pound profits through illicit activities.
The Nairn Building, classified as category B-listed, has a history dating back to its use as a mill before its acquisition by Fife College. It ceased operations as an educational institution in 2016 and was subsequently sold to developers. In 2021, there was a planning application submitted to create 39 residential flats along with gym and retail spaces, but the site has remained unoccupied since that time. The police have indicated their commitment to using all available resources and intelligence to disrupt the production and distribution of controlled substances as the investigation into this major drug cultivation continues.
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