160 arrests and millions of pounds worth of drugs seized across Norfolk and Suffolk
It's part of the joint Operation Orbit
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.
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%.
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 these gangs 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.”
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.”
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.”