Police Cannabis Crackdown Seize Thousands of Plants and Arrest Dozens in Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Abbots Langley and Rickmansworth Hertfordshire
Police in Hertfordshire have seized thousands of cannabis plants and arrested more than 20 people during a month-long operation targeting cannabis production by organised crime groups.
Three of the males are from Watford and a drug dealer from Abbots Langley were taken into custody,
The operation in Hertfordshire, 30 warrants were carried out by officers from the Local Policing Command, Operational Intelligence Team, Operational Support Group and local crime and safer neighbourhood units.
This resulted in the seizure of 3,249 cannabis plants and the arrest of 27 people. Nine of those arrested have been charged with offences related to cannabis cultivation.
The seized plants have a street value of several hundred thousand pounds.
Those charged with with being concerned with cannabis cultivation were:
- Glenn Armstrong, aged 42, of Tylersfield, Abbotts Langley, intent to supply class B drugs
- Jamie Long, aged 34, of Hare Street, Buntingford, and possession of a firearm
- Sulo Asimetas, aged 23, of Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead
- Mariglen Bani, aged 23, of Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead
- Mahdi Teymoori, aged 26, of Trefusis Walk, Watford,
- Anastasi Sina, aged 37, of Ashwood Road, Potters Bar
- Huy Quang, aged 32, of Hare Street, Buntingford,
- Elsi Cela, aged 22, of Station Road, Sawbridgeworth,
- Shadrach Allen, aged 42, of Cade Close, Letchworth,
Others arrested on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation are:
- A 14-year-old boy from Watford
- A 31-year-old man from Watford
- A 48-year-old man from Ware
- A 31-year-old man from Royston
- A 29-year-old man from Royston
- A 32-year-old man from Hertford
- A 28-year-old woman from Hatfield
- A 62-year-old man from Hatfield
- A 22-year-old man from Hatfield
- A 32-year-old woman from Buntingford
- A 45-year-old man from Borehamwood
- A 32-year-old man from Borehamwood
- A 59-year-old man from Waltham Cross
- A 32-year-old man from Rickmansworth
- A 45-year-old man from Borehamwood
All have been released whilst investigations continue.
Forces across England and Wales conducted activities targeting cannabis production by organised crime groups, aiming to execute more than 1000 warrants during June.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Skarratts, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Local Policing Command, said: “This month of action has been a great opportunity to target organised crime gangs that are running cannabis production sites across the county. We’ve seized thousands of plants along with growing equipment, as well as arresting many of those involved in the production and distribution of cannabis.
“We conducted more than 30 warrants, which is going to make a major impact on cannabis supply and organised crime groups in Hertfordshire. We take a very proactive approach, working with our partners in other forces and national agencies to target these crime groups.
“This operation also provides a chance to raise awareness of cannabis farms, which can appear anywhere in the county and pose a danger to those living nearby, either as a fire or electrical risk or from anti-social behaviour and violence that is associated with this type of crime.”
How to Spot the signs of cannabis cultivation:
- A powerful distinctive sweet, sickly aroma
- Frequent visitors throughout the day and night
- Blacked out windows, or vents sealed/blocked to prevent the heat and smell of cannabis from inside the property escaping
- Chinks of bright light throughout the night
- Birds gathering on the roof, particularly in cold weather
- In winter, snow melting unusually quickly on the roof
- High levels of condensation on windows
- Noise from fans
- Large amounts of rubbish, including compost bags
- Electricity meter being tampered with/altered and new cabling, sometimes leading to street lighting.
