By Ben Kerrigan-
British Police have seized up to £130m worth of cannabis as part of a nationwide crackdown, described as the “most significant” operation of its kind in UK law enforcement history.
Operation Mille successfully intercepted the proceeds of a sophisticated crime network, also involved in other offences such as money laundering, Class A drug smuggling, and violence.
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Officers uncovered over 180,000 cannabis plants during the series of co-ordinated raids, aimed at disrupting organised crime groups (OCGs) across England and Wales.
Police also discovered 20 firearms, £1m worth of cocaine and £636,000 in cash in relation to the month-long crackdown, which took place across June.
Over 11,000 officers have embarked on a war against drugs in Britain, with hundreds of cannabis farms shut down.
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The largest operation of its kind, involving every police force in England, Wales and Scotland, saw 200,000 cannabis plants seized, along with 15 to 20 guns and more than 40 other offensive weapons.
Across June, more than 1,000 cannabis farms were raided by police across Britain, with plants worth £130 million seized and some 1,000 suspects arrested.
Steve Jupp, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for serious and organised crime, said: ‘We know that organised networks involved in cannabis production are also directly linked to an array of other serious criminality such as Class A drug importation, modern slavery and wider violence and exploitation.
‘This operation not only successfully disrupted a significant amount of criminal activity, but the intelligence gathered will also help inform future law enforcement across the country.
‘Cannabis-related crime is often thought to be ‘low level’; however, there are clear patterns around the exploitation and violence organised crime groups are using to protect their enterprises.
Around 11,000 officers were involved in the crackdown, during which £650,000 in cash was also seized.
The pandemic exacerbated the problem as children spent more time online, and county lines are springing up more frequently in rural areas where reductions in youth services and support have left young people without protection.
Operation Mille seize lots of cannabis plants Image: PA
A major concern for cops up and down the country is the county lines system which exploits young people and, like cannabis dealing, is carried out in the shadow of even bigger criminal operations.
Teenagers are being offered phones, vapes and clothes to take up ‘business opportunities’ promoted on social media, it has previously been reported.
Cops lick their lips as they find £636,000 in cash Image: PA
Organised crime groups merry in lots of cash Image: PA
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