Drugs worth over £1.6m seized during week-long clampdown across West Yorkshire
Over 1,500 cannabis plants were discovered across the region
Police have seized £1.6m worth of drugs across West Yorkshire, as part of a week-long clampdown on the trade across the region.
Officers took part in Operation Mille, a nationwide operation involving coordinated raids against suspected organised crime groups between February 17 and 21.
Across West Yorkshire officers executed 26 warrants, seizing a total of 1,529 plants with an estimated value of £1.6m.
A total of 5 people were arrested during the raids, with £3,000 in cash and a car also being seized
Detective Superintendent Steve Greenbank, head of intelligence at West Yorkshire Police said:
“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to take a large quantity of cannabis out of circulation and deprive organised crime groups of a source of income.
“By targeting the commercial growing of cannabis across West Yorkshire, we have been able to disrupt the activities of the criminals behind this trade while also gathering the intelligence needed to better understand how they operate.
“Organised crime groups are often connected to violence, exploitation, and anti-social behaviour which causes untold misery in our communities.
“Commercial cannabis grows can also cause significant damage to properties taken over for that purpose.
“Buildings can become dangerous due to fire risks, unlawful abstraction of electricity, fumes, and water damage, putting neighbours at risk.”
“Sharing information with the police at an early stage allows us to work closely together to tackle cannabis farms before they cause serious damage.
“We are committed to dismantling these operations and protecting our communities from the harm they cause.”