Twenty bags of cannabis related waste were fly-tipped in Rochdale on Sunday morning.
Reports were made to Greater Manchester Police and the Rochdale Borough Council that 20 black bin liners full of cannabis plant debris and other vegetation waste had been dumped on land off Furbarn Road, Norden, Rochdale on Sunday.
The bags were giving off a strong odour which could be smelt from the top of the lane.
Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Neil Emmott said: “Fly-tipping is an extremely selfish act that scars the countryside and costs tax payer’s money to clean up.”
Councillor Emmott said the council has introduced new £400 fixed penalty notices for this and similar offences, with bigger offences being handed up to court.
David Dooby, 45, of Clay Lane, Rochdale came across the bags whilst walking his dog that morning, he said: “I was really shocked. There are lot of animals and walkers who use that area."
Dooby called the sight ‘awful’ and after he spoke to another resident of the area, apparently, they were not the first person to have let the police know.
The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Ian Hopkins said: “Officers are searching for those responsible for dumping the bags.”
No arrests have been made at the moment.
A team has been sent to clean up the waste and residents in the area are advised to report any drug related offences to the Police.
Jeff Smith, the Labour MP for Manchester Withington and Chair of the All-party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform said in November 2018: “A legal, regulated cannabis market would protect us from harm in the same way as alcohol licensing prevents us from purchasing 80% proof moonshine or toxic tobacco.”
Labour MP Smith believes the use of cannabis should be legalised.
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