This is the inside of an illegal outdoor cannabis farm, tended to by two marijuana enthusiasts in their mid-20s

Nestled in the dense vegetation between a motorway and railway line in West Yorkshire is a lucrative marijuana farm, where plants grow up to eight feet high.

Two cannabis enthusiasts in their mid-20s tend to the crop from seedlings to sale point.

Over the course of a year, the men allowed Bradford based photographer John Bolloten to monitor and picture their illegal trade. The photos form part of a book, titled North Guerillas, documenting the year on the farm.

They refer to themselves as the North Guerillas, and take great pride in their crop of about 50 plants.

They operate on public property, effectively hidden in plain sight near a thoroughfare where passersby go on daily walks, catch the train to work or even sit in traffic.

This is the inside of an illegal outdoor cannabis farm, tended to by two marijuana enthusiasts in their mid-20s

This is the inside of an illegal outdoor cannabis farm, tended to by two marijuana enthusiasts in their mid-20s

West Yorkshire Police left a calling card which read: 'Dear drug dealers, we have your drugs! Call 101 to get them back.'

West Yorkshire Police left a calling card which read: ‘Dear drug dealers, we have your drugs! Call 101 to get them back.’

Pictures of the process show the men separating the types of marijuana they're about to grow into plastic cups. The different strains range from 'Dutch Dragon' to 'Cream Caramel' and 'Special Queen'

Pictures of the process show the men separating the types of marijuana they’re about to grow into plastic cups. The different strains range from ‘Dutch Dragon’ to ‘Cream Caramel’ and ‘Special Queen’

Allowing Bradford based photographer John Bolloten into their private quarters, the two men - who cannot be named but refer to themselves as the North Guerillas - have offered an insight into the world of weed growing

Allowing Bradford based photographer John Bolloten into their private quarters, the two men – who cannot be named but refer to themselves as the North Guerillas – have offered an insight into the world of weed growing

The North Guerillas scale an 26ft wall to access their crop, often protecting their faces in dark coloured masks and wearing long sleeved clothes.

Everything they need for growing must be carried into the area by hand, and they generally harvest under the cover of darkness.  

Wearing face masks to protect their identity as they work, the men move the crop into a gazebo they erected themselves to be dried out, weighed and eventually bagged up for distribution.

Pictures of the process show the men separating the types of marijuana they’re about to grow into plastic cups. The different strains range from ‘Dutch Dragon’ to ‘Cream Caramel’ and ‘Special Queen’.

After the germinating stage, they move through the thick vegetation until they reach the area where they plant them. 

Wearing face masks to protect their identity as they work, the men move the crop into the shed to be dried out, weighed and eventually bagged up for distribution

Wearing face masks to protect their identity as they work, the men move the crop into the shed to be dried out, weighed and eventually bagged up for distribution

The duo use a drone to monitor their crop from afar

The duo use a drone to monitor their crop from afar

Eventually, it is weighed on a set of scales and bagged up, ready for distribution

Eventually, it is weighed on a set of scales and bagged up, ready for distribution

Over the course of a year, the duo plant up to nine types of marijuana seeds, transferring them from small pots as they grow until they're eventually ready to be moved into the ground

Over the course of a year, the duo plant up to nine types of marijuana seeds, transferring them from small pots as they grow until they’re eventually ready to be moved into the ground

The pants are transferred from small terracotta pots, first into larger pots and eventually directly into the ground.

Water is usually the heaviest item they have to lug between areas. Despite Yorkshire getting ample rain, growing marijuana is a tedious task and the plants require a certain amount to properly develop. 

The duo use a drone to monitor their crop from afar. 

When it is ready to be harvested, pictures show the crop drying on a string inside the shed. 

Eventually, it is weighed on a set of scales and bagged up, ready for distribution.

The location of the illegal farm is set between a motorway, railway line and busy road, meaning the men take a significant risk each and every time they visit.

The photos form part of a book, titled North Guerillas, documenting the year on the farm

The photos form part of a book, titled North Guerillas, documenting the year on the farm

The location of the illegal farm is set between a motorway, railway line and busy road, meaning the men take a significant risk each and every time they visit

The location of the illegal farm is set between a motorway, railway line and busy road, meaning the men take a significant risk each and every time they visit

The duo hike through the vegetation to their secluded growing ground in West Yorkshire

The duo hike through the vegetation to their secluded growing ground in West Yorkshire

Police raided the public land at the tail end of the growing season, seizing what was left of the plants.

But the North Guerillas were not at the farm when the raid took place and they’ve since reestablished their crop, continuing their underground operation to this day.

West Yorkshire Police left a calling card which read: ‘Dear drug dealers, we have your drugs! Call 101 to get them back.’ 

It’s hard to determine exactly how much the crop would be worth, as it is largely dependent on the size and success of each plant. 

In recent police busts, 1200 cannabis plants in one illegal farm had an estimated street value of £960,000, while 110 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £110,000 were seized at another location in Telford.

Ninety plants discovered in Leicester were estimated to be worth about £70,000 when seized in April 2022. 

The duo plant up to nine types of marijuana seeds, transferring them from small pots as they grow until they're eventually ready to be moved into the ground

The duo plant up to nine types of marijuana seeds, transferring them from small pots as they grow until they’re eventually ready to be moved into the ground

When it is ready to be harvested, pictures show the crop drying on a string inside the shed

When it is ready to be harvested, pictures show the crop drying on a string inside the shed

According to the Institute of Economic Affairs, the black market for cannabis in the UK is estimated to by worth up to £2.6 billion annually - approximately 255 tonnes sold to three million users

According to the Institute of Economic Affairs, the black market for cannabis in the UK is estimated to by worth up to £2.6 billion annually – approximately 255 tonnes sold to three million users

Pictured: One of the north Guerillas takes a break by a group of plants

Pictured: One of the north Guerillas takes a break by a group of plants

Since the Office for National Statistics began recording drug use estimates in the year ending December 1995, cannabis has consistently been the most used drug in England and Wales.

In the year ending June 2022, the latest data, 7.4 per cent of adults aged 16 to 59 had admitted using the drug in a 12 month window.

Some 16.2% of adults aged 16 to 24 years also reported using the drug.

Marijuana is considered a Class B drug and the maximum penalty for possessing the drug is five years imprisonment. The court can also impose a fine worth up to £2,500.

The maximum penalty for supplying or producing an illicit drug is 14 years in prison.

In the years ending 2020 and 2021, cannabis was seized more often than any other Class B drug, with 95% of all Class B seizures involving this substance.

Pictured: A large barrel of soil and nutrients are mixed together so that the young plants can be potted

Pictured: A large barrel of soil and nutrients are mixed together so that the young plants can be potted

The small plants are transported by hand to the destination where they will grow up to 2.5m high

The small plants are transported by hand to the destination where they will grow up to 2.5m high

The location of the cannabis farm was between a road, a railway track and a motorway. Access was usually in by running over this wall that was 26ft high. Plants and other supplies are hauled up the wall next to the road. Care must be taken as to not be spotted by passing cars or people out walking

The North Guerillas say they do not run a commercial venture. Instead, they say they’re simply cannabis enthusiasts.  

As technology develops, it’s getting harder for growers to maintain illegal crops. Drones are now being used by police to track down and bust farms throughout the UK.

In December, Lincolnshire Police revealed they’d made two breakthroughs with the use of marijuana-hunting drones.

Across two busts, more than 165 plants were seized with this method.

Pictured: After a trip to Argos, the growers struggle to understand the instructions on how to assemble their gazebo

Pictured: After a trip to Argos, the growers struggle to understand the instructions on how to assemble their gazebo

Pictured: The north Guerillas at their illegal outdoor cannabis farm at a secret location in West Yorkshire in the north of England

Pictured: The north Guerillas at their illegal outdoor cannabis farm at a secret location in West Yorkshire in the north of England

The duo use a drone to monitor their crop from afar

The duo use a drone to monitor their crop from afar

Pictured: A new way in and out of the location is discovered and used from then on in

Pictured: A new way in and out of the location is discovered and used from then on in

Pictured: The rootball of a plant that has been harvested. A rootball can weigh 15-20 kg

Pictured: The rootball of a plant that has been harvested. A rootball can weigh 15-20 kg

Drones are so successful in finding cannabis because a huge amount of heat and light is needed in the growth process. As temperatures drop and darkness sets in, drones fitted with thermal imaging sensors are able to detect areas emitting unusual amounts of heat and light. 

Lincolnshire Police said in a statement: ‘Yet another example why #drones are key in modern day crime fighting. One of many farms we have disrupted this year.’

According to the Institute of Economic Affairs, the black market for cannabis in the UK is estimated to by worth up to £2.6 billion annually – approximately 255 tonnes sold to three million users. 

In November 2018, medicinal use of cannabis was legalised in the UK, and prescriptions are rapidly on the rise. 

The first stage of marijuana plants is germination. Lasting about three to 10 days, seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth until they begin to sprout

The first stage of marijuana plants is germination. Lasting about three to 10 days, seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth until they begin to sprout

Generally, they require about 16 hours of light each day at this stage and temperatures of up to 26C

Seedlings are delicate and hard to keep in good condition

Seedlings are delicate and hard to keep in good condition

They require 16 hours of sunlight, a particular amount of water, with the perfect humidity levels and specific temperatures

They require 16 hours of sunlight, a particular amount of water, with the perfect humidity levels and specific temperatures

After about three weeks as a seedling, the vegetative stage begins. It lasts up to eight weeks, and requires the plant to be transferred to a larger pot

After about three weeks as a seedling, the vegetative stage begins. It lasts up to eight weeks, and requires the plant to be transferred to a larger pot

By 2024, the number of legal cannabis users is expected to hit 337,000, according to Park Insurance.

The only conditions for which medicinal marijuana can be prescribed are severe epilepsy, patients with severe side effects from chemotherapy and people with muscular disorders, like multiple sclerosis.

Discussions are ongoing about expanding this criteria. 

To own a medical growing farm, people must apply for a government licence and pass several checks and balances.

At this stage, plants can grow up to three feet

At this stage, plants can grow up to three feet

Flowering begins from about eight weeks until about 11 weeks. It is the final growth stage, so requires slightly less sunlight each day

The location of the illegal farm is set between a motorway, railway line and busy road, meaning the men take a significant risk each and every time they visit

The location of the illegal farm is set between a motorway, railway line and busy road, meaning the men take a significant risk each and every time they visit

From the flowering stage, all that's left is to harvest. Quality, taste and smell of the plant will be based on when it is harvested

From the flowering stage, all that’s left is to harvest. Quality, taste and smell of the plant will be based on when it is harvested

Plants will be pruned to remove dead or unhealthy parts of the plant, and then weighed and bagged up

Plants will be pruned to remove dead or unhealthy parts of the plant, and then weighed and bagged up

The duo, who cannot reveal their identities, are both marijuana enthusiasts in their mid-20s

The duo, who cannot reveal their identities, are both marijuana enthusiasts in their mid-20s

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