Nearly 1,000 plants and 3 men arrested in countywide clampdown on drugs supply

In a week long crackdown on cannabis farms, officers seized nearly 1,000 plants and arrested three suspected cannabis farmers in our county.

 

The operation, coined Op Mille, is part of a national push to tackle cannabis production and disrupt cocaine supply in England. Hundreds of warrants were carried out by police forces across the UK.

 

After weeks of planning and information gathering, officers in Durham Constabulary identified five suspected grows and executed warrants in Stanley, Consett, Seham, Bishop Auckland and Shildon last month.

 

The warrants were carried out by teams across the county who dismantled plants from a derelict bank, a large abandoned shop, and an empty address.

 

The individuals found inside the farms were being forced to sleep rough on the floor, eat out of tins, and in one instance were having to use an inflatable paddling pool filled with dirty water to wash in.

 

In all of the properties, the farmers were found to be abstracting electricity from nearby properties to aid the plants’ growth. They also had CCTV covering entry and exit points and some were guarding the plants with weapons.

 

Three men were brought into custody and questioned regarding their involvement in cannabis production. They have since been released under investigation whilst further enquiries are carried out.

 

T/Detective Inspector Sarah Hindmarsh said: “We have seen some significant disruption to organised crime networks operating within our county.

 

“The activity has helped remove illicit income and weapons from the street, put a significant hole in the pockets of organised crime groups and safeguarded vulnerable people from being exploited.

 

“This isn’t just a bit of cannabis – the production of this drug is linked to sexual exploitation, kidnap, serious violence, firearms, money laundering and illegal immigration.

 

“We will continue to tackle those who are involved in drugs supply and continue to disrupt and dismantle their networks one by one.”