Massive Cannabis Farm Found at Chatsworth Pub Site
Derelict building is a short distance from police station
The police found around 700 plants during the raid. Picture: Met Police
A derelict pub on Acton High Street was concealing a large-scale cannabis factory with more than 700 plants, police have revealed, after officers raided the building last week.
The Chatsworth Pub, which closed in 2023 and has stood empty ever since, was entered by officers on Tuesday 12 May following a drugs warrant executed by the Acton Safer Neighbourhoods Team. Despite its boarded-up exterior and deteriorating condition, the premises were being used as a fully functioning cannabis farm — and all of it was operating only a short walk from Acton Police Station.
As officers forced entry, a 31-year-old man inside allegedly attempted to flee. He was stopped and arrested at the scene.
Once inside, officers discovered a sprawling cannabis setup spread across the former pub, with plants at various stages of growth and the infrastructure typical of a commercial-scale operation. In total, more than 700 plants were recovered.
Police Community Support Officer Gary Pang, from the East Acton team, said on Met Engage the building gave little away from the street.
“From the outside, the building appeared shut down… but looks can be deceiving,” he said. “As officers made entry, one male attempted to make a quick escape — unfortunately for him, officers were quicker. He was promptly arrested at the scene.”
PCSO Pang described the interior as a “large-scale cannabis grow”, adding that the entire setup had now been dismantled and removed.
“Great work from the team in taking a significant quantity of drugs off our streets,” he said.
The Chatsworth has remained vacant since its closure three years ago, with residents noting its increasingly dilapidated state. Police enquiries into the operation and those involved are continuing.
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