Millions of pounds of cannabis seized in joint regional operation
Cannabis farms have been raided across the region as part of a joint regional operation
Last updated 6th Jul 2023
Cannabis worth £6.5 million has been seized - and 67 arrests made - as part of a joint drugs crackdown across the South West.
A gun was also seized in June's month-long joint intelligence-led operation by the five forces - which is part of ongoing work to tackle drugs and modern-day slavery called Operation Scorpion.
Across the country more than 1,000 people have been arrested in cannabis raids across England and Wales and police seized plants worth £130 million.
The National Police Chiefs Council says the month-long operation in June was the 'most significant' of its kind in UK history.
Forces across the South West have worked together for sometime to tackle regional drugs gang operations - known as 'county lines'.
Figures show Avon & Somerset made 2,506 'drug disruptions' in the past two years with 2,271 in Wiltshire, 2,115 in Dorset, 2,118 in Devon & Cornwall and 1,321 in Gloucestershire.
Devon and Cornwall Police executed nine warrants, seizing over 850 plants with an estimated medium street value of over £470,000 - making five arrests
Four of the warrants took place in Exeter with others in Plymouth, Torquay, and Camborne - and two outside the force area.
Avon and Somerset Police seized more than £3 million worth of cannabis and arrested 20 people.
Devon and Cornwall's Detective Superintendent Alex Doughty, who led the operation, said: “The operation is a regional project focusing on drugs with the aim to make the area a hostile environment for drugs supply.
“Our officers have been targeting organised criminals who are growing cannabis and using this to harm our communities – something that we are committed to tackling."
The most recent warrant, on Wednesday 28 June, saw officers seize drugs with a street value between £116,480 and £349,440.
The pre-planned warrant occurred at a disused building, which was once a nightclub, on Torwood Street in Torquay.
Det Supt Doughty added: “Around thirty officers and staff were involved in the warrant which was led by the Torquay Neighbourhood team while supported by other teams. The Devon and Cornwall Police dog unit was also utilised to check the building for any other suspects who could have been hiding.
“Using the element of surprise, officers forced entry into the building early last Wednesday morning. Thanks to the use of Torbay Council CCTV, a suspect was located hiding on the roof."
The raid saw officers find a total of 416 cannabis plants which were seized from the address with a potential yield of between 11.5kg and 35kg.
“The operation involves Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire Police, working collectively with Police and Crime Commissioners, British Transport Police and the Southwest Regional Organised Crime Unit, supported by the charity Crimestoppers."
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford, said: ““This operation continues to go from strength to strength. We collectively continue to make our communities safer by targeting the criminals bringing drugs and violence to our region as well as protecting the vulnerable they seek to exploit as workers or as users of the drugs they supply.
“This operation has seen a huge effort by all five regional forces working to ensure the South West is no place for drugs and this work will continue.”
Aside from the criminal aspect, cannabis grows also pose a very real threat to local communities. Properties used for this purpose can become dangerous as a result of fire risks, unlawful abstraction of electricity, and fumes, as well as fuelling increased crime rates in the surrounding area.
Those tasked by criminals to look after cannabis grows are often vulnerable, and are sometimes victims of human trafficking, modern slavery, or criminal exploitation. Sharing information with the police at an early stage allows them to work closely to tackle cannabis farms and organised criminal groups before they can cause serious harm.
Officers discovered an industrial-scale cannabis factory in Bristol with more than 2,500 plants with an estimated street value of £1.25 million.
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “When law enforcement agencies come together they can make a real and lasting difference to people’s lives.
“A national focus on organised crime is what people want to see is being done and it is fantastic that this collaborative approach is having such a significant impact on criminal activity and harmful drugs hitting our streets.
“During a month of targeted action in the South West, our police forces have seized £6.5m of drugs and made 67 arrests, sending a firm message to drug dealers and organised crime groups that our region is no place for drugs.
“Cannabis production and use is a scourge on our communities and these so-called farms are often hidden in plain sight in derelict buildings or empty homes in our cities, towns and villages as well as rural areas.
“People living in Devon and Cornwall tell me time and again that they are sick of the sight and smell of cannabis in their neighbourhood. What some people think is a harmless bit of fun hides a grim reality of often vulnerable people forced to live in cramped and squalid conditions and being exploited for the financial gain of organised gangs.
“It is vital that anyone concerned about illegal activity in their area to let Crimestoppers know anonymously so the police can act to get this dangerous drug off the streets.”