A series of dawn raids across Bedfordshire have led to the seizure of more than £1 million worth of cannabis plants and a firearm, as police dismantled illegal grow sites linked to organised crime groups.
During the month-long operation, officers uncovered six cannabis farms in Bedford, Sharnbrook and Luton seizing:
- 1712 cannabis plants
- 8kg of processed cannabis ready for supply
- A loaded shotgun
- £5,400 in cash
Specialist officers estimated that just one harvest from the sites would be worth over £1.1 million.
Operation Mille
The raids were part of Operation Mille, a national crackdown on criminal networks involved in cannabis cultivation and money laundering. This is the third time Bedfordshire Police has taken part, as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt the illegal drug trade.
The early morning raids followed intelligence reports from the local community. In one case, engineers carrying out routine work noticed a strong smell of cannabis, leading officers to a significant cannabis operation.
On Thursday, 20 February, officers raided a property on Hartley Road, Luton, after reports of suspicious behaviour. Residents had noticed:
- Windows and blinds shut at all times of the day
- A glass pane covered with a sheet
- Unusual activity around the property
Inside, officers found a man suspected to be a victim of human trafficking. Next door, they uncovered a large cannabis factory with 215 plants, with criminals drilling a hole into the neighbouring property to expand their operation.
Detective sergeant Gary Hatton, who led the operation, praised officers for their work, “These latest successes are a result of intricate and painstaking work by numerous teams across the force, and I would like to thank them for their efforts which have paid off immensely.”
“By targeting cannabis cultivation, we’re cutting the issue off at the source.
“Without activity like this, these plants would be harvested, processed, and disseminated in our community, fuelling criminality, anti-social behaviour, and the appalling violence we see when drug gangs feud over territory.”
He also urged the public to stay alert and report anything suspicious.
“In addition to the work of our officers, it’s the information received from members of the public that informs our activity.
“I would like to encourage the community to continue to tell us what you know and raise the alarm when things don’t seem right. With your support, we’re ridding our community of illegal drugs and apprehending those fuelling it,” he said.
Signs a property may be a cannabis factory
Police have urged residents to look out for signs that a property may be being used for cannabis cultivation:
Frequent visitors at unsocial hours
- Blacked-out windows or condensation, even in warm weather
- Bright lights on throughout the night
- Tampered electricity meters, exposed wiring, or unusual cabling leading to streetlights
- A strong, sweet, sickly smell and noise from fans
- Large deliveries of growing equipment, heaters, or lighting
- An excessive amount of plant pots, fertilisers, and chemicals
Anyone with concerns about drug dealing or anti-social behaviour in their community can report it online via Bedfordshire Police.
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
