U.K. police find illegal cannabis farm inside historic church

Police in northwest England worked over a few days to dismantle a large, illegal cannabis farm they discovered inside a historic church. Officers in the small town of Nelson first discovered more than 1,500 cannabis plants inside the 1879 building on Friday after learning of conspicuous pipes running into it, according to local outlet LancsLive. The church is no longer used for worship services, but remains recognized by the government as a National Heritage historic building.

Police also arrested a person who attempted to flee the scene by jumping from a window and running away. The man failed to consider how the drop would affect his ability to run, officers said, according to LancsLive. He was in custody amid the police investigation.

Recreational cannabis use is illegal in the United Kingdom. Cultivation for medical purposes is allowed, but only when licensed by officials. Large-scale cannabis farms increase the risk of other crimes, including human trafficking, exploitation, and violence, police said.

Dig deeper: Read Micah Barkley’s report on a historic English church facing closure over high repair bills.