A major cannabis cultivation with an estimated street value of £7.1 million has been uncovered in Wick following a Police Scotland–led operation supported by the
Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC).
The discovery was made on Thursday, 29 January 2026, when officers executed a warrant at a derelict former school on West Bank Avenue. Acting on intelligence, police found a highly sophisticated cannabis setup containing more than 5,900 plants, along with significant quantities of dried cannabis.
Police estimate the dried cannabis alone to be worth approximately £456,000 on the street.
Seven people have been arrested and charged in connection with the operation. Three individuals — two men aged 44 and 27, and a 17-year-old male youth — appeared at Wick Sheriff Court on Friday, 30 January. A further four men, aged 46, 35, 23 and 23, appeared at the same court on Tuesday, 3 February.
The Civil Nuclear Constabulary played a key supporting role in the operation, deploying trained specialist officers and a general-purpose police dog from its Dounreay Operational Policing Unit to assist Police Scotland at the scene.
Police Scotland said the seizure represents a significant disruption to organised criminal activity in the area and forms part of ongoing efforts to target large-scale drug production across the region.
Inspector Richard Humphrey said: “This operation demonstrates the value of specialist capability and close joint working in support of complex policing activity.
“Our officers and dog teams worked professionally alongside Police Scotland and partner agencies, contributing to a significant recovery and a clear disruption to drugs production and supply.”
CNC support was provided without detriment to its core policing role of protecting the UK’s civil nuclear sites and safeguarding nuclear material, which remained fully resourced throughout.
Detective Inspector Phoebe McDaid, of Police Scotland, said: “This is a very significant recovery and an example of our efforts to disrupt the activities of those involved in the supply of illegal drugs.
“Drugs cause misery in our communities and the public has an important role to play in helping Police Scotland target those responsible for the cultivation, supply and sale of illegal substances.
“Anyone with any information or concerns about drugs in their community can call Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.” Photo by Douglas Sinclair, Wikimedia commons.