Over 600 cannabis plants seized

last week from West Hill

Operation Shield dealt another blow on drugs and associated crime, when Wandsworth police led a drugs raid on a suspected cannabis factory in West Hill, in the early hours of Tuesday, 7 February, and seized in excess of 600 cannabis plants.

The raid was part of an intelligence led operation undertaken by the borough’s Drugs & Firearms Focus desk and executed by officers from the Focus mobile response unit.

Detective Sergeant Phil Tomlinson, said: 'This operation highlights the ongoing success of Operation Shield and the results that can be obtained by working closely with other departments within our organisation and Wandsworth Council. I anticipate that the closure of this cannabis factory will have an immediate impact on the quality of life for other residents in the
area and sends a strong message to the drug dealers of Wandsworth that police will continue to target them and their criminal operations.’

Stopping drug dealers from operating is the main thrust behind Operation Shield; which began in April 2005, and utilises the collective skills and resources of Wandsworth police, Serious Crime Directorate and Customs & Excise to make significant drugs and firearms seizures.

Since 1 April 2005 the MPS or its law enforcement partners have seized the following on or destined for WW borough:

Drugs
• 6.27 Kg Cocaine
• 604g Crack Cocaine
• 938g Heroin
• 251 Ecstasy Tablets
• 72.94 Kg Cannabis
• 616 Cannabis plants

Firearms
• 8 Firearms
• 148 Rounds of Live Ammunition
• 30 Imitation firearms
• 5 CS Canisters

Chief Supt. Joe Royle said:
“By working with our partners, we have significantly reduced the amount of drugs and weapons coming into the borough. We continue to work on new leads and intelligence, and we will be making further arrests in the near future. We want to reassure all communities that we take the issue of drugs seriously on this Borough, and if you have any information whatsoever, please feel free to report it (anonymously if necessary) on our Operation Shield website or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Our working relationship with Wandsworth council focuses on the social and community aspects of drugs on the streets. Previous results have seen the closure of crack houses and the launch of Operation Shield website with an anonymous reporting forum for public to provide information to the police on drugs and dealers.

Cllr Edward Lister said:

“The quantities of drugs and weapons seized show just what an impact Operation Shield has made in a comparatively short time.

“The whole community is involved in the fight against drugs. The council is working side by side with the police. I would urge anyone who has any information to call Crimestoppers or send an email in confidence via our website www.wandsworth.gov.uk/operationshield.”

March 2, 2006