A STAGGERING £65,000 worth of cannabis has been removed from the streets of Hartlepool after one of the town’s biggest class B drugs seizures.
Hartlepool Police stormed into a house in Penryhn Street, off Elwick Road, in Hartlepool, and discovered £50,000 of dried cannabis in a front bedroom.
Once inside, officers’ investigations then led them to a room situated directly above Mario’s Takeaway, in the town’s Church Street, where 42 class B drug plants, with a street value of about £15,000, were found.
Today police say the haul was one of the biggest ever in Hartlepool and would have already disrupted the supply of drugs in and around the town.
The drugs have been bagged up and sent off for forensic testing while scenes of crime experts searched the two properties where the haul was found. Detectives arrested two men, aged 27 and 32-years-old, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis and suspicion of the production of cannabis.
One appeared before town magistrates yesterday with the other facing them today.
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “Hartlepool Drugs Unit executed a warrant at an address in Penrhyn Street, in Hartlepool, at around 10.30am on Tuesday.
“A large quantity of suspected cannabis and skunk, estimated to be worth around £50,000, was found drying in a front bedroom of the address.
“Two men, aged 27 and 32, were arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent to supply cannabis and suspicion of the production of cannabis.
“This search led police to a floor above a takeaway premises on Church Street, where 42 plants were found.
“Officers say they estimate this suspected cannabis to be worth around £15,000.”
Acting Detective Sergeant Stuart Kelly was delighted with the seizure and said: “This was a significant find and we will continue to work within communities to reduce drugs misuse on our streets.”
Hasan Savzali, 27, of Penrhyn Street, Hartlepool, appeared at Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with possession with intent to supply class B drugs, producing a quantity of class B drugs and dishonestly using a quantity of electricity.
He was remanded in custody and will appear again via video-link tomorrow.
A 32-year-old man was due before magistrates today to face the same charges.
Anyone with any suspicions about drugdealing should telephone the confidential telephone number (01642) 302181.