£1million of cannabis plants destroyed as part of Hartlepool drugs investigations
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The raids come from a new way of working, which has seen officers from Hartlepool’s Community Safety Team undertaking entire drugs investigations.
The Community Safety Team is a partnership between Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Fire Brigade and Cleveland Police.
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Hide AdSince March, officers have recovered and destroyed more than 3,500 plants – estimated to be worth more than £1million.
Neighbourhood officers are now planning and coordinating the whole process, from gathering intelligence to applying for magistrates’ warrants, right through to preparing for and conducting raids – but they can still call in specialist colleagues for support.
These could include the Dog Support Unit, method of entry-trained officers and drugs expert witness officers.
The destruction of more than 3,500 cannabis plants means organised crime groups in Hartlepool are being disrupted, and the crime and antisocial behaviour associated with drug dealing is being reduced, Cleveland Police say.
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Hide AdVulnerable people involved in county lines drugs activity are also being identified and safeguarded.
Community Safety Team Pc Geoff Coggin is now qualified to deliver approved presentations to the town’s schools in a bid to prevent youngsters becoming involved in the drug trade.
He said: “I’d like to thank the community as they continue to provide information on who’s taking part in drug dealing and where it’s happening.
"We add this to the intelligence we’ve gathered so we can target addresses and remove drugs from our streets, improving quality of life for the law abiding majority.”
Report suspected drugs activity via the 101 number.