Cannabis worth £306,000 seized in Suffolk as part of national operation to tackle organised crime
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Suffolk Constabulary recently executed a number of warrants, seizing cannabis worth an estimated £306,000, as part of a national operation to tackle organised crime and in particular target the production of cannabis.
Criminal networks involved in drug dealing, money laundering and other violent offences were targeted by police, focusing on tackling large-scale cannabis cultivations – a key source of illicit income for organised gangs.
There are clear links between serious crime and cannabis cultivation, with the drugs trade fuelling gang related violence and other criminality.
In Suffolk a total of six warrants were executed, with seven arrests made and five people charged. A total of 1,453 cannabis plants were seized along with six kilos of packaged cannabis. In addition to the cannabis, equipment used for the cultivation of cannabis was also seized.
Suffolk Constabulary worked alongside the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit and partner agencies to target the criminal networks involved in cannabis production and other serious criminality.
The intensification period was designed to disrupt organised crime gangs by taking out a key source of their revenue, while simultaneously apprehending those involved, safeguarding those being exploited, and increasing intelligence around how the networks operate.
Detective Inspector James Cassedy said: “Officers from our countywide proactive teams have worked tirelessly during this period of intensification to successfully target and disrupt organised cannabis production in our county.
“It has resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of drugs and has significantly disrupted the viability of organised criminal groups who seek to maintain their criminal enterprises in the county.
“Cannabis production is often just one strand of their criminal operations and often these groups are involved in Class A drug importation, modern slavery and wider violence and exploitation.
“We have also gathered a significant amount of data which will help focus our future efforts in tackling organised crime groups and safeguarding those at the greatest risk of harm.
“We will continue to work closely with our communities to tackle the illicit drug trade in Suffolk. This is not something limited to periods of action but takes place 365 days a year, with various operations and specialist teams set up to detect and detain those responsible.
“Any information the public can provide in disrupting criminality such as this is vital. Please continue to be vigilant and report any concerns to us.”
Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, said: “I am very pleased to see this national, regional and local focus on the disruption of organised cannabis production in the county.
“Drugs are the scourge of society and I certainly do not agree with any relaxation of the law around cannabis as there are proven links between serious crime and illegal cannabis cultivation.
“Drug crime is not something that one police force can deal with in isolation, so I am pleased to see Suffolk working with the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit to target this.
“This partnership working is essential and I would stress how important each of us are in this partnership. Cannabis factories are often set up in residential neighbourhoods so if you suspect any signs of criminal behaviour please report your suspicions to the constabulary.”
What to look out for
The size of criminal cannabis factories means that damage is often caused to the properties themselves; the buildings can become dangerous as a result of fire risks, unlawful abstraction of electricity, fumes and water damage.
There are some key signs to spot a property could be being used as a cannabis factory:
- Frequent visitors to a property at unsocial hours throughout the day and night.
- Blacked out windows or condensation on the windows, even when it is not cold outside.
- Bright lights in rooms throughout the night.
- Electricity meters being tampered with/altered and new cabling, sometimes leading to street lighting. High electricity bills could also be an indicator.
- A powerful, distinctive, sweet, sickly aroma and noise from fans.
- Lots of work or deliveries of equipment to an address, particularly those associated with growing plants indoors without soil such as heaters and lighting.
- An excessive amount of plant pots, chemicals, fertilisers, and compost.
Anyone with information about a potential cannabis factory or drug dealing should contact Suffolk Constabulary via:
Website - https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us
Phone - Call 101
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.
Videos
Two videos are available to view. The first, available via the link below, gives ‘spot the signs of cannabis cultivations’ advice from the Regional organised Crime Unit Network.
The second, below, shows cannabis cultivations located during warrants in Suffolk.