Cannabis plants worth £200,000 seized during raid on Hartlepool house

Officers from Hartlepool Police’s Neighbourhoods Team executed a warrant at an address on Derwent Street in the town this morning as part of #NeighbourhoodPolicingWeek.

Around 350 cannabis plants were located inside of the property, thought to be worth around £200,000.

The electrical set up inside of the property was a fire hazard and an extremely dangerous risk to the person living in the house and surrounding neighbours.

A 49-year-old man was arrested inside of the property on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and another man, 43, was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Inspector Adrian Dack of Hartlepool Neighbourhoods said: “Today’s activity was intelligence-led and part of Operation Sycamore.

“Sycamore was set up to tackle the issue of the supply of drugs within our communities and to tackle the antisocial behaviour that comes with producing and peddling drugs, and is a blight on our neighbourhoods.

“We can’t do this without the support of those living in Hartlepool, and I want to thank those who have contacted us.

“If you are fed up with suspicious activity where you live and suspect that someone is involved in the production or sale of drugs, call Cleveland Police on 101 and tell us what you know.  Your information is vital for building evidence to obtain a warrant, so that we can seize any drugs and arrest those involved.”