A WEEK-LONG operation to clamp down on criminal gangs growing cannabis has seen more than £3m worth of drugs taken off the streets - including hundreds of thousands of pounds worth in Barnsley.
Operation Mile saw police forces across the country conduct search warrants in a bid to disrupt organised crime groups (OCGs).
Between February 17 and February 21, officers across South Yorkshire executed a total of 17 drug warrants.
This resulted in over 3,000 cannabis plants being seized and 13 people arrested.
Across the week of action, a total of 3,281 plants were seized.
It is estimated that each plant is worth approximately £1,000, with the total value of the plants thought to be around £3,280,000.
The plants have been seized and will be destroyed.
Some of those plants were seized by officers in Wombwell.
Police found a ‘sophisticated grow’ at an address on Bartholomew Street.
The grow was spread across the property’s loft, cellar and two bedrooms.
Around 300 plants were seized - approximately £300,000 worth of illegal drugs.
Dung Tran Phu, 25, of Bartholomew Street, has been charged with producing a controlled drug.
Detective Chief Inspector Samuel Blakemore said: “We know that cannabis cultivations are often linked to organised criminality and exploitation of vulnerable people. It is important that people are aware of the connection between drugs and violent crime.
“Part of the purpose of this week of action has also been to gain valuable intelligence about those facilitating these criminal enterprises.
“We will continue to work with our communities to tackle this problem. I would urge the public to report any concerns to us.
“Remember to look out for the signs that a property is potentially being used for illegal activity.
“With your help we can develop a greater intelligence picture and executed more warrants across South Yorkshire.”
The operation was coordinated regionally by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU).
Across the region a total of 58 warrants were executed and 29 people were arrested.
More than 8,700 plants were seized with an estimated street value of £8.7m.
Cocaine, machetes and an axe were also found during the warrants.
Detective Superintendent Fiona Gaffney added: “Officers have conducted 58 warrants throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region in a coordinated approach to targeting commercial cannabis production and the crime networks who profit from it.
“By focusing on this source of income for organised crime groups, not only have we significantly disrupted their activities and the wider distribution of cannabis within our communities, but we’ve also gathered useful intelligence about the networks involved.
“Commercial cannabis production is heavily connected to wider criminality.
“These people routinely use serious violence and the threat of it to protect their trade and challenge the opposition.
“They also exploit young and vulnerable people for their own profit.
“So, I am pleased that this joint approach with the four police forces in Yorkshire and the Humber has made an impact on illicit activities in our communities.”
