Police bust massive illegal cannabis farm after robbery leads to derelict barn
A robbery near a canal in Lingen has uncovered a large-scale indoor cannabis farm in the Emsland region. Police investigating the incident raided a disused barn in Haselünne, where they found hundreds of plants and professional growing equipment. Three men, aged 24, 24, and 37, have since been arrested and remanded in custody. The robbery took place around 3:00 PM on Sunday near the bridge at Lindenstraße/Kollwitzstraße in Lingen. While following leads, officers traced a connection to a former farm in the Flechum district of Haselünne. Inside a derelict barn, they discovered a sophisticated cannabis operation in full bloom, complete with growing equipment, cash, and further evidence.
Two men were arrested immediately at the scene. A third suspect, identified as the tenant of the property, was later detained. A magistrate at Meppen District Court then issued arrest warrants for all three individuals. The farm itself was highly professional, with precise control over light, temperature, and humidity—methods that have become more common since new cultivation laws took effect in April 2024. While private grows remain non-commercial, licensed medical producers have expanded significantly, with facilities now scaling up to 21,000 sqm. However, this operation appeared to be illegal and unrelated to the regulated market. Police are still seeking witnesses to the original robbery in Lingen.
The three suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. The raid highlights the growing sophistication of illegal cannabis farms, even as legal cultivation expands under recent reforms. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the robbery and the farm are directly linked beyond the initial investigation.
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