Cleveland Police hail operation a success as £2m of drugs seized including £200,000 Hartlepool cannabis farm
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Cleveland Police’s force-wide Operation Endeavour launched in May aimed at disrupting the activities of serious and organised criminals.
Police chiefs say the seizures mean they have prevented 200,000 average £10 street deals taking place in communities.
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Hide AdThey have made 151 arrests with 135 charged to appear before the courts or reported for summons for alleged crimes.
Numerous weapons including machetes, BB guns, knives and a grappling hook chain have been taken out of criminal hands.
Across Cleveland, 57 warrants have been executed and 174 vehicles searched, including within Hartlepool.
Chief Constable Richard Lewis said specialist officers were working to stay one step ahead of the criminals.
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Hide AdHe said: “Organised crime groups and violent criminals ruin lives and the consequences of their offending is far reaching.
“It’s this work that is the lasting legacy for Cleveland Police. The harm we stop, the lives we save, and the difference that we make for future generations.”
Action seen in Hartlepool during the operation has included the discovery of a £200,000 cannabis farm in Thornton Street last week with the arrest and charge of a 25-year-old man.
Seven people were arrested following a series of raids on June 16 when £5,000 worth of cash, drugs and 20 mobile phones believed to be used for drugs activity were seized.
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Hide AdA quantity of cannabis and unknown tablets were recovered in raids on two houses in the Oxford Road area on May 27 following information.
Steve Turner, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, added: “Operations like this one are vitally important in protecting some of the most vulnerable groups in our society.
"Every drug deal is a potential death and our officers deserve significant recognition and praise for the amount of harm they may have prevented during this operation.”
As well as drugs and weapons, 35 vehicles were seized and £32,000 suspected dirty money confiscated with a ‘substantial’ amount still to be counted.
Mr Turner said Operation Endeavour would be just the first of many initiatives with hopes for partnership work to tackle the longer term effects of drugs and crime.