Four-week crackdown on gangs in South Yorkshire keeps £450,000 of cannabis off streets
A crackdown on gangs, organised immigration crime and drug supply kept £450,000 of cannabis off the streets of South Yorkshire last month.
Last month, officers across South Yorkshire executed 20 warrants - resulting in nearly half a million pounds worth of cannabis plants being seized and six people being arrested as part of Operation Mille.
The four-week-long crackdown targeted gangs involved in drug supply within South Yorkshire as part of a nationwide operation.
Police forces across the county coordinated search warrants with the aim of unearthing and disrupting organised crime groups (OCGs) who use illegal immigration, modern slavery and drug supply to make thousands of pounds a day.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Cartwright, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "We know organised crime groups (OCG) profit from drug cultivations and are responsible for facilitating illegal migration into the UK. It is vital we carry out disruption activity to limit criminals' abilities to exploit vulnerable people and pump harmful substances onto our streets.
"This operation has seen results in all districts of South Yorkshire and was supported greatly by you - our local communities. Our ability to secure and execute drugs warrants relies on the vital intelligence we can gather on potential criminality. If you suspect that there is illicit activity taking place at a property or business near you, please report it to us."
”A crucial part of this activity is visiting local businesses that may be connected to illegal working. It is essential that we take action against businesses used as covers for criminality, as well as showing legitimate premises that we are targeting these illicit operations.
"Our Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit has provided key support across the month, with officers and staff visiting businesses, conducting immigration checks and speaking to employees.
"These visits also provide an opportunity to ensure that we can gather intelligence to pass onto our partner agencies about issues such as unsafe working conditions, tax concerns and potential exploitation of vulnerable people.”