Cannabis farm in Polle: Five arrests made

An illegal cannabis plantation has been uncovered in a former restaurant in Polle, in the Holzminden district. During a large-scale police operation on Thursday, 2 July 2026, a total of five suspects aged between 24 and 54 were provisionally arrested. The investigation is being led by the Hildesheim Public Prosecutor's Office and conducted by the Holzminden police commissariat. The press release from the Hameln-Pyrmont/Holzminden police inspectorate confirms a suspected case that has occupied the authorities for weeks.

Investigations since early February

Since early February 2026, law enforcement authorities have been investigating a case initially directed against an unknown group of individuals. Investigators suspected that cannabis was being cultivated professionally in a disused gastronomy business in Polle. The Hildesheim Public Prosecutor's Office took charge of the case, while the Holzminden police commissariat coordinated operational investigative work on the ground.

Over several weeks, officers gathered substantial evidence supporting the suspicion of organised illegal drug production. The choice of location in a former restaurant building suggests, in the investigators' assessment, a deliberately chosen cover: from the outside the property appeared inconspicuous, while a sophisticated growing facility was apparently operated inside. Such constellations are not uncommon in drug enforcement operations in rural areas of Lower Saxony.

The combination of a hospitality property and suspected high electricity consumption from lighting and ventilation technology drew the investigators' attention. Observations, witness tips and technical evaluations fed into the decision to apply for a court search warrant. Only after this careful preparation was the raid carried out on 2 July.

Search based on a court warrant

The decisive operation took place on Thursday morning. On the basis of a court search warrant issued in advance, police officers entered the building in Polle. Inside, the emergency services initially encountered three men who were immediately provisionally arrested. The arrests marked the culmination of a planned raid that followed months of preparatory investigative work.

During the search, one of the suspects attempted to flee. However, the man was apprehended only a few metres away and also provisionally arrested. This brought the number of people detained on site to four before further arrests followed in another operational area. The attempted escape suggests, in the authorities' view, that those involved were aware of the illegal activity.

According to initial reports, the search itself proceeded in a controlled manner. Specialist units secured the scene, documented evidence and ensured that no further individuals could leave the premises unnoticed. The judicial basis for the operation was crucial to guarantee the legality of the interventions and the admissibility of the evidence.

Professional cannabis growing facility discovered

During the search of the property, officers discovered a professionally equipped cannabis cultivation facility. The setup showed features that go beyond small-scale private cultivation: technical equipment, structured lighting and an organised arrangement of plants point to commercial operation. The cannabis plants found were seized and are currently undergoing further forensic and technical examination.

In addition to the plants, emergency services found further suspected illegal substances and larger sums of cash as the operation progressed. Police intend to specify the exact nature and quantity of the additionally seized substances in a supplementary press release scheduled for the following day. The amount of cash seized is also expected to be explained in more detail there.

Police and prosecution experts will now examine whether the facility shows signs of longer-term production. Electricity bills, cultivation cycles and possible buyer structures play a central role. Any indication of distribution channels could open up further investigative leads.

Further arrests in the Hanover region

Following the search in Polle, ongoing investigations produced leads pointing to further suspects in the Hanover region. There, emergency services were able to provisionally arrest two more men. The investigation is currently directed against a total of five accused persons aged between 24 and 54.

The link between the discovery site in Polle and the arrests in Hanover suggests that authorities are assuming a cross-regional network. Whether the five men acted in different roles within the suspected structure is subject to further questioning and evaluation. The age spread from 24 to 54 suggests a possible division of labour between younger and more experienced participants.

The coordinated arrests at two locations show that investigators had timed and spatially aligned the operation. Simultaneous action often prevents suspects from warning others or destroying evidence. In this case, the strategy appears to have succeeded.

Legal classification and next steps

The Hildesheim Public Prosecutor's Office is currently examining whether the requirements for issuing arrest warrants against individual suspects or all of them are met. At the same time, extensive investigations are under way to clarify the suspected cultivation, possible distribution channels and financial backgrounds. Seized evidence – plants, substances and cash – is being incorporated into the assessment of proof.

Illegal cannabis cultivation in enclosed spaces with professional technology is considered a serious offence under German narcotics law. The combination of the facility, arrests and cash finds increases pressure on the accused while authorities continue their investigation resolutely. The question of whether further properties or intermediaries extend into other regions also remains open.

For the following day, the Hameln-Pyrmont/Holzminden police inspectorate announced a supplementary press release with further information. Media enquiries should be directed to Justus Weigel at the inspectorate's press office. The public can expect further details on quantities, detention decisions and possible links to other cases once the evaluation is complete.