Secret 70ft tunnel leading to £40million cannabis farm in former Victorian theatre basement – The Sun

A SECRET 70ft tunnel leading to a £40million cannabis farm has been uncovered by cops in an ex-Victorian theatre in London.

The underground passage was found winding from underneath a four-bedroom home in Deptford – opening up into an abandoned basement in the remnants of the Broadway Theatre.

And sources claimed the cannabis farm could have been used for up to a decade to rake in more than £4million each year, the Daily Mail reported

It was finally uncovered when police were called to a disturbance at the Deptford home in South East London.

It was then they realised the bathroom's floor was hollow, with the tunnel disguised under a fake floor.

The Great Escape-esque tunnel reportedly then wound 70ft from the home, under a private car park before emerging in an abandoned basement.

The theatre, which was built in 1897, had been demolished more than 50 years ago but its foundations had been left behind.

Three men, aged 28, 45, and 47, along with a 36-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis. They have been released under investigation.

A businessman who lived next door said: "To think this has been happening next to us for ten years without any of us noticing is certainly surprising. I was shocked.

"My wife and I sometimes heard what seemed like drilling. It was never for very long but it vibrated the walls upstairs.

"We had no idea what it was, we just thought it was some building work nearby – it’s a busy road."

A Met Police spokesman confirmed cops had been called to an address after reports of a disturbance on October 1.

They said: "They discovered a large number of cannabis plants along with equipment used in the cultivation of cannabis in an area beneath the residential properties.

"Three men, aged 28, 45 and 47, and a 36-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis. They have all been released under investigation.

"At this time, there remains a police presence on scene whilst access is facilitated to the site through a specialist entrance at ground level to ensure the safety of the officers undertaking the investigation."

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