From Casino to Cannabis Farm: Police Raid Former Aspers Casino Building

A major cannabis factory has been uncovered inside the former Aspers Casino in Northampton town centre, marking the latest in a string of large-scale drug raids across the county this year.

Northamptonshire Police executed a warrant at the disused Commercial Street building at around 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 30. Inside, officers found hundreds of cannabis plants spread across multiple floors, with growing equipment and lighting systems throughout.

_{Police cut through security doors at the former casino. (Image: Northamptonshire Police)} 

A police spokeswoman said: 

“Police officers executed a warrant at the old casino building in Commercial Street, Northampton, at about 9 a.m. this morning (October 30).” 

She added that plants in various stages of growth were discovered, and the premises have since been made safe.

From Casino Floor to Cannabis Farm

The building once housed Aspers Casino, a popular venue before closing several years ago. The property has remained empty since the business relocated, becoming a visible landmark in Northampton’s changing town centre.

Footage released by Northamptonshire Police shows rows of cannabis plants and sophisticated ventilation systems installed throughout the derelict casino, which had been repurposed into a large-scale cultivation site. The video also reveals evidence of illegal electrical connections and makeshift sleeping areas.

_{A sophisticated 'organised crime' setup. (Image: Northamptonshire Police)}

Police said their investigation is ongoing. No arrests had been confirmed at the time of publication.

A Wider Pattern of Illegal Cannabis Growers

The discovery is the latest in a series of cannabis factory raids across Northamptonshire over the past year. Similar large-scale operations have been found in Wellingborough, Kettering, and Corby, often hidden in abandoned industrial or commercial buildings.

In May, officers dismantled a similar setup inside a disused warehouse in Wellingborough, while in July, a factory containing more than 1,000 plants was found in Corby. Police have described these discoveries as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt organised crime groups operating across the region.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson previously said that cannabis factories of this scale are often linked to exploitation and unsafe conditions. 

“These setups are not only illegal but extremely dangerous,” the force said in an earlier statement.

 “Electrical bypassing creates fire risks, and vulnerable people are often exploited to tend to the plants.”

The Casino Connection

Casinos.com has reported on the transformation of former gambling venues across the UK, many of which have stood vacant following closures in the past decade. While some have been redeveloped into apartments or entertainment venues, others have fallen into disuse, leaving them open to illegal activity.

Residents Express Concerns as Police Make Appeal for Info

Residents have voiced frustration over the condition of derelict buildings in the town centre. Local councillors have also raised concerns about safety, with some calling for tighter monitoring of unused commercial sites to prevent further criminal use.

Northamptonshire Police said the investigation into the Commercial Street site remains active and urged anyone with information about illegal drug production in the area to come forward.

Anyone with relevant information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident number NP-20251030-0900, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Watch the Dramatic Raid Here: