Cannabis raids see Norfolk Police seize more than £4.5million of drugs

More than £4.5million of cannabis has been seized by officers in Norfolk as part of an operation targeting organised crime groups.

As part of Operation Mille, between February 17 and 23, the county’s officers targeted criminal networks involved in drug dealing, money laundering and other violent offences.

Norfolk Constabulary worked alongside the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and partner agencies to disrupt these organised crime gangs by taking out a key source of their revenue.

In the county, nine warrants were executed, 10 people were arrested and almost 5,000 plants were seized.

This included 154 kilograms of dried cannabis and 1,757 cannabis plants, with a street value of £4 million, being seized at a site West Carr Road Industrial Estate, Great Ellingham – two people were arrested, charged and remanded in custody.

Also, 770 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £154,000 were seized in Harleston Road, Rushall, with One person arrested and released without charge.

Detective Superintendent Matt Barden, the operation lead in Norfolk, said: “Not only has this operation prevented a huge amount of drugs from entering the supply chain in Norfolk, it has also disrupted the viability of organised criminal groups in the county.

“The tireless work put in by our officers and ERSOU to plan and execute this intensification period has also resulted in further intelligence which will continue to help focus our future efforts.”

“We continue to rely on the support of our communities to help us to achieve that.”

Meanwhile, a morning raid last week saw police discovered a cannabis factory in South Lopham, said to worth around £723,000.

Beat managers of South Norfolk Police and Neighbourhood Policing Team, as well as Breckland Police, executed a warrant at a property off Thetford Road, on March 5.

Inside they discovered 150 cannabis plants, double that number in baby cannabis plants, a large quantity of dried drugs and various growing equipment.

South Norfolk Police said in a social media: “Two men were promptly arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

“They were taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre, interviewed, and charged..

Armaud Isufi and Silvios Ballolli, have been remanded in custody to go before Norwich Crown Court on April 1.

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