Cannabis discovered in culvert under Northamptonshire M1
December 11, 2025
‘Sophisticated’ cannabis farm found under motorway
Northamptonshire PoliceA “sophisticated” cannabis farm has been discovered by road maintenance workers in a boarded-up drainage culvert beneath a motorway.
Northamptonshire Police said the cannabis factory was found on 28 November in a culvert which runs the width of the M1 carriageways near the village of Watford.
Access to the tunnel had been concealed to hide the plants, and dismantling the factory was “more treacherous” due to heavy rainfall, the force said.
Insp Jonathan Davis-Lyons, of Daventry neighbourhood policing, said: “This must be one of the most unusual locations we have discovered a cannabis grow, but it just demonstrates the length criminals will go to to produce this high-value commodity.”
The police said a local landowner also helped provide transport and trailers while the factory was dismantled, due to its remote location.
Northamptonshire PoliceInsp Davis-Lyons added: “Once inside the drainage culvert, we found a sophisticated set up which included extensive shelving to ensure the plants were kept above water and power diverted for lighting and other equipment needed to maintain the plants.”
Sgt Lewis Judd, who is leading the investigation and oversaw the dismantling of the factory, said: “This was a particularly difficult cannabis grow to dismantle, due to the torrential rain and the remote location.
“The nearest road access to the tunnel was about a mile away, but thanks to the generosity and support of a local landowner who provided us with transport and trailers, we were able to close it down.”
The force said no arrests have been made but appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.
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