Ten arrested during month of action targeting cannabis factories

Ten people have been arrested during operations targeting cannabis cultivation by organised crime gangs.

Forces across the country conducted activities targeting cannabis production by criminal gangs, executing more than a dozen warrants during February.

During the raids at addresses in Bishop’s Stortford, Cheshunt, Croxley Green, Stevenage, Royston and Watford, more than 2000 cannabis plants and 3.5kg of cannabis were seized, with a street value of up to £1.7m. 

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

Six of those arrested have now been charged with being concerned in production of a controlled drug (cannabis).

• Ervis Mema, aged 22
• Gramos Ahmetai, aged 42
• Skender Beci, aged 44
• Anduel Laqi, aged 26
• Ledjon Cani, aged 18,
• Amaraldo Elezi, aged 34

All six are from Gower Road in Royston and have been remanded in custody whilst the investigation continues.

Four further people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs (cannabis) during the month of action:

• A 42-year-old man from Watford
• A 47-year-old man from Cheshunt
• A 38-year-old man from Stevenage
• A 24-year-old man from Bishop’s Stortford

All have been released whilst investigations continue.

Detective Inspector Paul Stanbridge, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Local Policing Command, said: “Cannabis cultivation is big business for organised crime gangs, generating large sums of money which funds further serious crime.

“These operations have been a great opportunity to target these gangs, disrupting cannabis production across the county and seized drugs that would have ended up on our streets.

“We conducted more than a dozen 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. Anti-social behaviour and violence is also often 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.