160 arrests and millions of pounds worth of drugs seized under Op Orbit
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An operation launched to tackle serious and organised criminality in Norfolk and Suffolk has seen officers seize cannabis valued over £8million and make 160 arrests.
The arrests and seizures have been connected to an array of offences, from Class A drug supply to industrial scale cannabis farms and money laundering.
Operation Orbit is a joint response from Suffolk and Norfolk constabularies, aimed at making both counties as inhospitable as possible for organised crime groups (OCGs).
Having started in February 2024, between its launch and October this year the operation has seen more than £350,000 in cash seized, with seizures of cannabis valued in excess of £8million. There has also been a large amount of cocaine seized.
In total there have been 160 arrests for drug supply and linked offences with a current charge and remand rate of 65%.
As well as work to tackle these OCGs, officers are keen to share what residents, landlords and businesses should look out for, with criminal activity linked to these groups often connected to other serious crime including criminal and sexual exploitation.
Following the promising results, Detective Chief Inspector Tom Pearse from Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies’ Serious and Organised Crime team said: “There are a number of factors that have led to these results, including but not limited to, calls from concerned members of the public, intelligence-based policing, dedicated investigative work and commitment from officers and staff on the frontline.
“As well as a concerted effort to make our counties difficult places to offend, Op Orbit also aims to map and understand the ongoing criminality, in order to prevent OCGs from taking a foothold and to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
“We have seen first-hand the impact that this criminality can have in our communities, ranging from the destruction of our historic buildings, which are gutted and damaged to facilitate criminality, through to entire roads and pavements being dug up. These, often very dangerous works, represent a significant risk to the public.
“We are grateful to the numerous members of the public who have come forward with information that has often been so crucial in identifying these locations. Likewise, we are supported by our officers and staff on the frontline who have pursued leads with tenacity and commitment to bring offenders to justice.
“Finally, we remain acutely aware that half of the reports received in relation to antisocial behaviour, cite drug taking and drug dealing as the reason.”
Following incidents where historic buildings have been damaged by those using them for organised crime, including being used as cannabis factories, Mark Harrison Head of Heritage at Historic England said: “Heritage crime robs us of our collective history. Historic England is committed to working in partnership with police services across the East of England to reduce offending and educate the wider community about the impact of loss and damage to historic buildings and sites.”
Work by officers in Norfolk and Suffolk, alongside regional partners, has seen positive results. This has included 25kg of cannabis being seized from a van in Great Yarmouth which had been packaged and was ready for distribution.
It was an example of what officers refer to as the inversed county line model being used, with areas with cheaper rents are being sought to produce cannabis on an industrial scale before the drugs are transported to major cities for sale.
In Suffolk, officers safeguarded unaccompanied minors located in Ipswich, utilising CCTV to trace them back to London and senior figures within the criminal group.
From this a man subsequently pleaded guilty to drug supply and money laundering offences, with £50,000 recovered in a safe house.
Sergeant Dave Logan from the Ipswich based South Sentinel Team said: “We have been tackling this type of organised crime over the past few years, but February saw the start of joint working across both forces.
“With more support, we have been able to increase the amount of work we do, which has led to more arrests, drugs and cash seizures and most importantly, more individuals being remanded to prison.
“I am always mindful we target all those responsible within this illicit trade. From the higher crime group members who profit most and inflict the most suffering through violence and debt bondage, to the on the street dealers and the end users, who selfishly drive on Suffolk roads whilst under the influence of drugs.”
Cocaine is one of the drugs commonly seized by officers within the Sentinel team. Of the Class A drug, Sgt Logan said: “Powder cocaine use is widespread in the UK, across all demographics.
“This is a societal issue, which the police cannot change alone, but we will endeavour to bring to justice those responsible and those who risk the safety of the wider public.”
Business owners and landlords, as well as local residents, are advised to ensure they understand what to look out for in relation to organised crime and in particular gangs associated with production and distribution of drugs.
Examples include businesses being used in the hiring of vehicles. Homes, warehouses and buildings that have been dormant for some time are often rented to house cannabis factories.
It is important neighbours and residents share information with the police if they spot signs of illicit activity taking place.
Drug crime and organised crime groups often bring violence and other criminal activity. This can include exploitation of young and vulnerable people or connections to other crimes include human trafficking, modern slavery and sexual exploitation.
DCI Pearse added: “I am often asked what I think success looks like. It is maintaining constant and sustained pressure on these crime groups and making it as difficult as we can for offenders to succeed here.
“We are seeing great results, shown in the number of arrests and charges, and this is down to the hard work of our front-line officers, staff and investigators, as well as the vital support of our communities.”
How can you spot a cannabis farm?
- Ground floor windows that are constantly covered and seals around garage doors
- Condensation at the windows
- Brand new cameras on non-descript buildings
- Unauthorised works in the immediate area of premises, including roads and pavements being dug up.
- Vans attending outside of normal business hours
- Odour or smell
- People coming and going with hydroponic equipment
- Unloading building materials that do not fit the building
If you suspect drug activity report this via the website www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/report-crime, call 101, or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers to report anonymously – either online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.
In an emergency you should always call 999.