Forces across the country have once again focused their efforts on targeting major cannabis grows to disrupt violence, exploitation and organised crime across England and Wales.
Operation Mille stems from years of investigations and information focused on organised crime groups (OCGs) who are directly involved in the growing and selling of large quantities of so-called commercial cannabis on an industrial scale.
It is the third time police forces across the country have focused their efforts on the criminal networks involved in largescale cannabis production and sale, as part of a long term commitment to tackle this illicit activity.
This significant action by police forces, regional organised crime units (ROCUs) and partner organisations has aimed to disrupt these criminal networks’ revenue streams and wider activity linked to issues like illegal migration, violent crime and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Adam Ball, who led the operation, said: “This week of action has seen police carry out hundreds of warrants, seize dozens of weapons and take millions of pounds worth of illegal drugs off the streets.
“Cannabis may seem harmless but its production and subsequent selling has long fuelled other serious acts of criminality, which in turn blight our communities. It’s links to the importation of class A drugs, county lines and gang violence is prevalent, as well as the alarming levels of exploitation people fall victim to.
“The week also demonstrates what can be achieved when working together. For months we have coordinated with colleagues from the National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement, the Home Office, the ROCU network and other partners to ensure this operation has been a success. What we have found will help inform all of us for future investigations.
“Although this latest phase of Operation Mille focused on a week of action, I want to make it clear that our work does not stop. We are already analysing results and working on information received to work out where we focus our efforts next. This is a long term commitment and there is much more police activity to come.
“We all remain committed to disrupting cannabis cultivation and the terrible crimes associated with it, to make sure our communities are safeguarded against serious organised crime.”
As well as the cannabis plants, cocaine and ketamine were also seized in properties alongside 65 weapons, including 14 firearms, 12 machetes and 11 knives.
242 people have been arrested and 19 individuals suspected of being victims of modern slavery and human trafficking and have been referred to the National Referral Mechanism to receive appropriate support.
Almost half of the addresses raided by police did not have people in the premises, which matches a pattern noticed by police of an increase in empty cannabis farms.
Where people were living, officers often found squalid living conditions and numerous hazards at the address, such as dangerous wiring into the property from mains electricity, as well as damage from things like fumes and watering.
Police investigations at properties also highlighted the role of ‘professional enablers’ in these criminal networks.
Those supporting this kind of activity includes landlords renting out spaces as well as tradespeople such as electricians, who help gangs set up and power their grows.
ACC Ball continues: “We remain concerned about the often vulnerable people manipulated into illegal migration to work for these organised criminal gangs.
“There is a heavy risk of exploitation for those who are coerced and manipulated into the cannabis trade. Where we spot this exploitation, we do all we can make sure that people are given the support they need to get help.”
Charles Yates, NCA deputy director, said: “The NCA was proud to have supported policing in this very important work combating the threat of cannabis, which is a gateway drug to other very harmful substances.
“The agency deployed officers alongside policing colleagues in executing warrants, assisting with arrests, searches and interviews.
“We also supported with a range of niche capabilities including the Joint International Crime Centre and NCA’s international network in our mission to combat the supply of illicit drugs into our communities.”
Current results from Operation Mille include:
- 368 warrants and searches
- 48,328 plants seized, worth an estimated street value of £48,328,000 (based on an average of £1,000 per plant).
- 242 individuals have been arrested
- 65 weapons have been seized, including 14 firearms
- £183,590 in cash seized
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Cannabis farms also present a very real local threat.
The size of criminal cannabis ‘farms’ means that damage is often caused to the properties themselves; the buildings can become dangerous as a result of fire risks, unlawful abstraction of electricity, fumes and water damage.
Anyone with information about a potential cannabis factory or drug dealing can contact their local force online or via 101.
People can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org
There are some key signs to spot a property could be being used as a cannabis factory:
- Frequent visitors to a property at unsocial hours throughout the day and night.
- Blacked out windows or condensation on the windows, even when it is not cold outside.
- Bright lights in rooms throughout the night.
- Electricity meters being tampered with/altered and new cabling, sometimes leading to street lighting. High electricity bills could also be an indicator.
- A powerful, distinctive, sweet, sickly aroma and noise from fans.
- Lots of work or deliveries of equipment to an address, particularly those associated with growing plants indoors without soil such as heaters and lighting.
- An excessive amount of plant pots, chemicals, fertilisers, and compost.