Dozens arrested during month of action targeting cannabis factories

More than 20 people have been arrested during a month-long operation to combat cannabis cultivation.

Forces across England and Wales conducted activities targeting cannabis production by organised crime groups, aiming to execute more than 1000 warrants during June.

In Hertfordshire more than 30 warrants were conducted with 27 people arrested, of which 9 have been charged, and 3249 cannabis plants were seized.

During June the Local Policing Command teams were support by the Operational Intelligence Team, Operational Support Group and local crime and safer neighbourhood units to carry out the warrants.

Those charged were:

• Sulo Asimetas, aged 23, of Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead charged with being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• Mariglen Bani, aged 23, of Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead charged with being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• Anastasi Sina, aged 37, of Ashwood Road, Potters Bar, charged with being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• Jamie Long, aged 34, of Hare Street, Buntingford, charged with being concerned with cannabis cultivation and possession of a firearm
• Huy Quang, aged 32, of Hare Street, Buntingford, charged with being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• Glenn Armstrong, aged 42, of Tylersfield, Abbotts Langley, charged with possession with intent to supply class B drugs
• Elsi Cela, aged 22, of Station Road, Sawbridgeworth, charged with being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• Shadrach Allen, aged 42, of Cade Close, Letchworth, charged with being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• Mahdi Teymoori, aged  26, of Trefusis Walk, Watford, charged with being concerned with cannabis cultivation

Those arrested were:

• A 48-year-old man from Ware on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 31-year-old man from Royston on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 29-year-old man from Royston on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 14-year-old boy from Watford on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 32-year-old man from Hertford on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 28-year-old woman from Hatfield on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 62-year-old man from Hatfield on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 22-year-old man from Hatfield on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 32-year-old woman from Buntingford on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 45-year-old man from Borehamwood on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 32-year-old man from Borehamwood on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 31-year-old man from Watford on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 59-year-old man from Waltham Cross on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 32-year-old man from Rickmansworth on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation
• A 45-year-old man from Borehamwood on suspicion of being concerned with cannabis cultivation

All have been released whilst investigations continue.

A woman was released with no further action, a man from Watford was cautioned and a man from Knebworth was given a community resolution.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Skarratts, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Local Policing Command, said: “This month of action has been a great opportunity to target organised crime gangs that are running cannabis production sites across the county. We’ve seized thousands of plants along with growing equipment, as well as arresting many of those involved in the production and distribution of cannabis.

“We conducted more than 30 warrants, which is going to make a major impact on cannabis supply and organised crime groups in Hertfordshire. We take a very proactive approach, working with our partners in other forces and national agencies to target these crime groups.

“This operation also provides a chance to raise awareness of cannabis farms, which can appear anywhere in the county and pose a danger to those living nearby, either as a fire or electrical risk or from anti-social behaviour and violence that is associated with this type of crime.”

Spot the signs of cannabis cultivation:

• A powerful distinctive sweet, sickly aroma
• Frequent visitors throughout the day and night
• Blacked out windows, or vents sealed/blocked to prevent the heat and smell of cannabis from inside the property escaping
• Chinks of bright light throughout the night
• Birds gathering on the roof, particularly in cold weather
• In winter, snow melting unusually quickly on the roof
• High levels of condensation on windows
• Noise from fans
• Large amounts of rubbish, including compost bags
• Electricity meter being tampered with/altered and new cabling, sometimes leading to street lighting.

Anyone with information on drug dealing or gang related crime can be report online, or by speaking to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or by calling the non-emergency number 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.