£4.5million of cannabis seized in Norfolk

More than £4.5million of cannabis has been seized by officers in Norfolk as part of an operation targeting organised crime groups.

Criminal networks involved in drug dealing, money laundering and other violent offences were targeted by police and partner agencies under the national initiative – Operation Mille.

Resources were focussed on tackling large-scale cannabis cultivations – a key source of illicit income for organised gangs, culminating in a week of increased activity which ran from Monday 17 February – Sunday 23 February.

The intensification period was designed to disrupt organised crime gangs by taking out a key source of their revenue, while simultaneously apprehending those involved, safeguarding those being exploited, and increasing intelligence around how the networks operate.

Norfolk Constabulary worked alongside the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and partner agencies to target the criminal networks involved in cannabis production and other serious criminality.

In Norfolk a total of nine warrants were executed, with almost 5,000 plants seized and 10 people arrested. These included:

• 332 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of £66,000, were seized following a warrant in Wellesley Road, Great Yarmouth on Monday 24 January. Two people were arrested, charged and remanded in custody.

• 1,291 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of £250,000 were seized following a warrant in Southtown Road in Great Yarmouth on Thursday 6 February. Two people were arrested, charged and remanded in custody.

• 154 kilograms of dried cannabis and 1,757 cannabis plants were seized following a warrant in West Carr Road Industrial Estate in Great Ellingham on Tuesday 18 February. The items seized had an estimated street value of £4 million. Two people were arrested, charged and remanded in custody.

• Warrants were carried out at three properties on Orange Grove in Wisbech on Wednesday 19 February. 302 plants were seized, worth an estimated £60,000. One person was arrested, charged and remanded.

• 302 plants were seized from a property in St Augustines Street, Norwich on Thursday 20 February. The plants were worth an estimated street value of £60,000. One person was arrested, charged and remanded.

• Two warrants were carried out on different properties in Hockham Street in King’s Lynn. The first on Wednesday 12 February and the second on Thursday 20 February. 110 plants were seized between the two properties, worth an estimated £20,000. One person was arrested on 20 February and cautioned.

• 770 cannabis plants, worth an estimated street value of £154,000, were seized in Harleston Road, Rushall on Thursday 20 February. One person was arrested and released without charge.

• 55 plants, worth an estimated street value of £10,000, were seized following a warrant in Old Sunway in King’s Lynn on Sunday 23 February 2025.

Detective Superintendent Matt Barden, the operation lead in Norfolk, said: “Not only has this operation prevented a huge amount of drugs from entering the supply chain in Norfolk, it has also disrupted the viability of organised criminal groups in the county.

“The tireless work put in by our officers and ERSOU to plan and execute this intensification period has also resulted in further intelligence which will continue to help focus our future efforts.

“Large scale cannabis production generates significant money, which Organised Crime Groups can use to fund other illegal activity. We work year-round to disrupt drugs networks and stop these criminal enterprises, to safeguarding those at the greatest risk of harm.

“We continue to rely on the support of our communities to help us to achieve that.”

There are key signs people can look out for and the presence of even some of these may indicate that a property has been turned into a cannabis factory:

• Frequent visitors to a property at unsocial hours throughout the day and night
• Blacked out windows or condensation on the windows, even when it is not cold outside
• Bright lights in rooms throughout the night
• Electricity meters being tampered with/altered and new cabling
• A powerful, distinctive, sweet, sticky aroma and noise from fans
• Evidence of a large number of plant pots, fertilisers and compost

You can report suspicious activity to us using our online crime reporting service.

Or call us on 101 at any time. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

If you suspect someone is in immediate danger, call 999 now.

If you want to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.