Op Mille: Police dismantle cannabis farms as part of clampdown on criminal networks in Teesside

Officers executed various warrants across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton.

The activity took place in February and resulted in police locating and dismantling 12 cannabis farms as well as arresting 13 men and one woman.

A property on St Bernard Road and Castlereagh Road in Stockton, Camelon Street in Thornaby, Overdale Road, Portman Street, Broadwell Road, Brettenham Avenue and Johnson Street in Middlesbrough, Garside Drive, Catcote Road and Charterhouse Street in Hartlepool and Charles Street in Redcar, were all found to contain numerous cannabis plants.

They are estimated to be valued between £244,720 and £734,160.

It comes following a national clampdown led by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) against organised crime groups.

Detective Chief Inspector Gerard Wraith, who assisted with Operation Mille from Cleveland Police, said: “Acting on information and executing warrants relating to cannabis farm is something our officers do on a weekly basis.

“The cultivation of cannabis can contribute to various other crimes occurring in the community including serious violence and anti-social behaviour as well as the exploitation of vulnerable people who are subjected to appalling conditions.

“Criminals will often put the property at risk of being set alight due to cutting corners to save on the electricity used to produce cannabis. This could lead to fires spreading to neighbouring properties and potentially putting innocent members of the public in harm.

“I want to encourage the community to understand the dangers related to cannabis farms, then familiarise themselves with the signs and to report it to police so we can take the right action.”

Would you know if a property was being used to cultivate drugs?

• A powerful distinctive sweet, sickly aroma
• Frequent visitors throughout the day and night
• Blacked out windows
• Lights throughout the night
• Birds gathering on the roof particularly in cold weather
• Noise from fans
• Large amounts of rubbish including compost bags and electricity metre being tampered with

Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more suspicious.

Information from members of the public play an important role in detecting cannabis farms. If you recognise the signs or have concerns, please contact Cleveland Police on 101 or visit the website. If a crime is in progress, always dial 999.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.