Hartlepool cops uncover cannabis stash worth £200,000 after sawing open front door in raid

Police officers uncovered £200,000 worth of cannabis after using a saw to cut their way through the front door of a Hartlepool house.
By Fiona Thompson
Published 22nd Apr 2021, 08:31 BST
Updated 22nd Apr 2021, 11:04 BST
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Cleveland Police launched raid on the home in Grange Road and were forced to use the tool after efforts to smash their way in using the ‘big red key’ ram they usually use to gain access would not work as the door had been modified.

They captured the efforts on video, sharing the footage after a number of cannabis plants were seized and arresting a man on suspicion of drugs offences.

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Neli Artan, 34, of Grange Road, Hartlepool, has been charged since the raid on Tuesday, April 20, with producing a controlled drug of class B and is in custody ahead of his court appearance.

A video shared by Cleveland Police shows one of its officers breaking their way through a door of a house in Grange Road, Hartlepool, using a saw as they then carried out a search for drugs.A video shared by Cleveland Police shows one of its officers breaking their way through a door of a house in Grange Road, Hartlepool, using a saw as they then carried out a search for drugs.
A video shared by Cleveland Police shows one of its officers breaking their way through a door of a house in Grange Road, Hartlepool, using a saw as they then carried out a search for drugs.
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A spokesperson for the force said: “The video shows officers using an alternative to the ‘big red key’ in their kit – to gain access to a property alleged to be connected to drugs activity.

"Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out a drugs warrant at a property in the town’s Grange Road, alongside officers from Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit.

"The door had been modified and wasn’t responding to officers’ initial efforts to enter the property - so the team had to take an unusual approach.

Cleveland Police shared these photos showing the re-enforced door and the cannabis plants being grown inside the house in Grange Road, Hartlepool.Cleveland Police shared these photos showing the re-enforced door and the cannabis plants being grown inside the house in Grange Road, Hartlepool.
Cleveland Police shared these photos showing the re-enforced door and the cannabis plants being grown inside the house in Grange Road, Hartlepool.
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"Officers recovered around £200,000 of suspected cannabis and arrested a 34-year-old man who has been charged with alleged production of a controlled drug of class B.

"He is remanded in custody.”

Anyone who can help Cleveland Police as inquiries continue can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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