Two charged as part of national organised crime and cannabis operation

Two people have been charged as Derbyshire officers took part in a national week of enforcement to disrupt organised crime groups and cannabis grows.

Seven warrants were conducted at addresses in Derby, Heanor, Long Eaton, Swadlincote, Whitwell and Eckington during the period of 17th to the 20th February.

Five of the addresses were found to contain cannabis grows, with a sixth containing a quantity of cannabis.

670 cannabis plants were seized and three people were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.

Two of them were charged and remanded and third was bailed pending further enquiries.

The accompanying images show a cannabis grow that was found during a warrant at an address in Mundy Street, Heanor.

Detective Inspector Chris Barker, who led the enforcement activity in Derbyshire said: “I am pleased with the results from this latest round of enforcement activity as we know that industrial scale cannabis cultivation is intrinsically linked to a wide variety of other criminal and gang activities, street violence and exploitation of the young and vulnerable.

“Policing nationally has seen a significant disruption to organised crime networks as part of this latest intensification week, and we are committed to tackling this type of criminality in our local communities to ensure that they are a safer place for all residents.

“Organised crime is heavily connected to violence, exploitation and anti-social behaviour which are a scourge on or communities.”

If you have any information on illegal drug supply, or any concerns about suspicious activity or drug misuse in your area, please contact Derbyshire Police via the details below.

• Website – There are reporting tools at www.derbyshire.police.uk/
• Facebook – send a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• X (Twitter) – direct message the contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone – call the non-emergency number 101

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.

Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown, which you may be able to spot, include:

• Strange smells and sounds.
• Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times.
• Gardening equipment being taken into a building or property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting.
• Windows are sealed and covered, or the curtains are permanently closed.
• Heat from an adjoining property.