More than 10,000 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of almost £9 million have been seized and 53 people arrested in a month-long operation.
53 arrests were made by Greater Manchester Police as part of Operation Mille, a nationwide crackdown on cannabis cultivation, money laundering, and immigration crime.
The arrests made in Greater Manchester were predominantly for cultivation of cannabis and abstracting electricity. There were also arrests in connection with the possession of weapons, money laundering and possession with intent to supply. £24,000 in cash was also recovered.
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Last month, police executed six simultaneous warrants at properties in Tameside. Inside the properties, officers found more than 400 plants believed to be cannabis and linked to a large-scale operation.
Detective Inspector Paul Crompton, from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group, said: “Hardened criminal gangs, involved in some of the most serious and heinous crimes, use the production and sale of cannabis as a fundamental part of their criminal enterprises.
“I understand that people have varying views on cannabis, but I would urge people who view it as ‘just a bag of weed’ to think twice about the wider implications and the exploitation and violence that is undeniably linked to the cultivation of cannabis.
“Cannabis farms also place innocent members of the public at risk. The amount of energy required for a cannabis farm means the criminals bypass the electricity supply to avoid paying for it. This causes a significant fire hazard to those who are forced to live and work there, but also the unassuming, innocent members of the public in neighbouring properties.
“This was an intelligence gathering mission which successfully disrupted a significant number of criminal networks. These gangs can’t operate under the radar forever and this intensive crack down will continue.”
Operation Mille, which all 43 police forces across England and Wales took part in and which was also conducted in collaboration with Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) and partner agencies, was designed to apprehend key players and increase intelligence across the force. Officers said the operation was also to help safeguard those who were exploited by gangs and forced to live and work on cannabis farms.
Described as being the 'most significant' operation of its kind in UK law enforcement history, the nationwide crackdown saw more than 180,000 cannabis plants worth around £130 million seized. 20 firearms, £1m worth of cocaine and £636,000 in cash was also recovered nationally.
A total of 967 people were arrested as part of the operation, with 450 people since charged.
Anyone with information can contact police via their website or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.
Alternatively, you can also report information to Crimestoppers - anonymously - on 0800 555 111 .
