HERE’s a look inside the industrial-scale amphetamine lab near Redditch which was uncovered by police earlier today.

It is believed the crime group involved with the drugs operation were producing around one tonne of amphetamine per month – worth £2million at wholesale and up to £10million at street level – for distribution to criminals throughout the country.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Warwickshire Police raided farm buildings on Ullenhall Lane, near Redditch, today (Tuesday, April 27). Five people have now been arrested in connection with the operation.

NCA Branch Commander Peter Stevens said: “This illicit drugs lab was producing extremely large amounts of amphetamine for distribution to crime groups across the UK and into our communities, bringing with it violence, fear, and exploitation.

“The operation, which required a huge amount of planning to ensure it was conducted safely, will have had a huge impact on the organised crime groups involved, depriving them of commodity and profit.

“This work also shows the value and power of working with law enforcement agencies, including Warwickshire Police who have provided specialist resources, to take down high-harm criminals.”

READ MORE: Five arrested after drugs lab raid near Redditch

ACC Alex Franklin Smith from Warwickshire Police said: “The illegal drug trade causes great harm to communities across Warwickshire and the rest of the country. We have worked closely with our colleagues in the NCA to support this operation with significant and specialist resources and are confident that the impact it will have on the organised criminal gangs involved will be huge.

“We are absolutely committed to tackling the drugs trade and protecting the people of Warwickshire from all the harms it brings. This operation once again sends out the message that this offending will not be tolerated in our county.  

“Such an operation taking place in such a quiet, rural location will no doubt have caused some concerns for people in the area. Our officers will be working with people in the local community in the coming days to provide reassurance.” 

Searches of the farm buildings are ongoing, with support from specialist teams from West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service and the West Midlands Ambulance Service.