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300 cannabis plants seized in police raids in Romford, Ilford, and Barking

Some of the plants seized by investigators (credit: Metropolitan Police)

Five cannabis factories in Romford, Barking, and Ilford have been closed by police, as part of an operation which has seen 300 cannabis plants seized.

The anti-drug operation by the Met Police saw warrants carried out in the week beginning Monday, 12 October.

As well as the plants, more than £10,000 in cash and drug cultivation equipment was seized.

Two men were arrested during the raids.

Police say a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis, abstracting electricity and criminal damage. 

And a 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of production and supply of cannabis. 

Both have been released on bail until late November.

The operation was carried out by officers from the East Area Command Drugs Focus Desk, which was set up in July 2020.

Some of the plants seized by investigators (credit: Metropolitan Police)

Detective Inspector Dean Grafton said: “The production of drugs, especially cannabis, is a key driver in both serious and organised crime. It has clear links to violence, weapons and criminal exploitation.

“The violence suppression unit, drugs focus desk and our neighbourhoods policing teams are committed to working with our borough partners to eliminate cannabis factories and the violence associated with them.

“Working together, we are acting on information provided to us by the public and partner agencies to target those involved in this illegal activity that has a hugely detrimental effect on the quality of life for the law-abiding community.

“This operation, code-named ‘Operation Brancaster’, marks the beginning of an ongoing continuous schedule of activity challenging and disrupting the production and supply of illegal drugs across the tri-borough area.

“I urge anyone who has information relating to drug cultivation or supply to contact us without delay. If you don’t want to speak directly to us, call Crimestoppers anonymously, but please do make that call and help us to remove drug dealers from your area.”

Since its inception, the Drugs Focus Desk has seen the number of charges for supply offences across Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and Redbridge more than double.

Between July and September 2019, 20 suspects were charged with drug supply offences. In the same period in 2020, the figure was 47.

For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM

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