Police seize hundreds of cannabis plants in raids
OFFICERS SAY LARGE-SCALE OPERATIONS ARE OFTEN RUN BY VIOLENT CRIME GANGS
THREE drugs hauls have been located across Rushmoor in recent days, with hundreds of cannabis plants confiscated by police.
Hampshire Constabulary has said it has seized the plants across the borough, including some that were discovered while carrying out two warrants in Farnborough on Monday last week.
Around 300 cannabis plants were seized by Rushmoor’s Neighbourhood Policing Team after they were found at houses in Tile Barn Close and Abbey Way. No arrests have been made and police said enquiries are ongoing.
That followed a separate incident on Saturday January 30, during which officers responded to a report of a burglary and found around 150 plants in a flat in Aldershot High Street.
Police said modifications had been made to the electrical supply, and heating and lighting equipment were found. An investigation is under way, and again no arrests have yet been made.
In a statement last Wednesday, Inspector Kirsten Troman said: “This all forms part of our ongoing work to disrupt drugs supply in the Hart and Rushmoor districts.
“Some people may dismiss this as being just a bit of cannabis, but we want to stress that any production of drugs is linked to hidden harm. Large scale operations are often run by organised crime gangs.
“Those gangs are likely to engage in very serious violence involving weapons, such as firearms. They may also take advantage of vulnerable people, exploiting them or making them work in servitude.”
Inspector Troman added: “The electrical requirement to grow this many plants is also really dangerous and can be a huge fire risk, putting neighbouring properties and lives in danger.
“It is not just a bit of cannabis, it’s linked to serious criminality.
“That’s why we are really keen to hear from people who suspect there is cannabis cultivation or drug-related activity going on their neighbourhood.
“Every call you make to us is logged and helps us build up an intelligence picture about what might be happening in your community. This allows us to take action and prevent your neighbourhoods from harm.”
Anyone with information can contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101, or go to www.hampshire.police. uk and report online.
Crimestoppers can also by contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through its website.