CNC aids Police Scotland in £7.1m cannabis find in Wick
According to a UK Government news release, Police Scotland-supported by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC)-discovered a large cannabis cultivation at a derelict former school on West Bank Avenue in Wick. Officers acted on intelligence and executed a search warrant on Thursday, 29 January 2026. We use this case to explain how specialist forces work together, and how you can share concerns safely.
What was found was significant. Police recorded more than 5,900 cannabis plants alongside dried cannabis. The total seizure was given an estimated street value of £7.1 million, with the dried cannabis alone assessed at around £456,000. Street value is an estimate used for public communication; it varies with purity, weight and local pricing, and can change after forensic analysis.
Seven people have been arrested and charged in connection with the discovery. Two men aged 44 and 27, and a 17-year-old male, appeared at Wick Sheriff Court on Friday, 30 January 2026. Four further men-aged 46, 35, 23 and 23-appeared at the same court on Tuesday, 3 February 2026. All are entitled to the presumption of innocence while proceedings continue.
Specialist support came from the CNC’s Dounreay Operational Policing Unit, which deployed trained officers and a general purpose police dog to assist complex searches. The CNC confirmed that this support was provided without detriment to its core mission; nuclear sites and materials remained fully resourced throughout.
Inspector Richard Humphrey said the operation shows how specialist capability and close joint working can strengthen complex policing activity. He highlighted the professional work of CNC dog teams and officers alongside Police Scotland and partner agencies to achieve a significant recovery and disrupt supply.
Detective Inspector Phoebe McDaid of Police Scotland called the recovery very significant and underlined the community’s role in tackling illegal drugs. Her message was clear: drugs cause harm in our neighbourhoods, and community information helps police target those involved in cultivation, supply and sale.
Quick explainer: the Civil Nuclear Constabulary is the UK police force that protects civil nuclear sites and safeguards nuclear material in transit. While its day-to-day job is nuclear security, it can support other forces when specialist skills-like armed capability, search expertise or dog teams-are required under established mutual aid arrangements.
How a warrant works: police assess intelligence and risk, then apply to a sheriff or magistrate for legal permission to search specific premises. On the day of action, officers plan carefully for safety, secure evidence, and safeguard anyone present. This legal framework protects both public safety and individual rights.
What you might notice in a large-scale grow includes strong odours near vents, constant fan or extractor noise, windows that are consistently covered, unusual heat, or frequent late-night comings and goings. None of these signs prove a crime on their own. Avoid confrontation, avoid speculation, and focus on clear, factual observations.
If you are worried about drug activity in your area, you can call Police Scotland on 101. If you prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always use 999 in an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger. When it’s safe, note times, locations and vehicle details to help officers build a clearer picture.
Reading the numbers: ‘street value’ describes a potential retail price, not what criminals actually earn. It’s a rough guide used to communicate scale and may be refined once drugs are formally weighed and tested. Treat it as an order-of-magnitude indicator rather than a precise market valuation.
Why this matters for civic life: joint policing like this shows how specialist teams-local detectives, national agencies and CNC specialists-combine their skills when communities need them. Your information, shared safely and respectfully, can help interrupt organised crime while protecting your own safety.