Update - Operation Grassland - Continued Crackdown on Drugs Crime
Wednesday, 11th August, 2010
Wakefield District Police have been praised for their efforts to rid the
streets of drugs.
It follows the latest phase of Operation Grassland which earlier this week
saw eight people arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis and money
laundering and one person arrested for theft. Ten vehicles were seized as
part of the enquiry including a Nissan GTR worth approximately £60,000. A
quantity of cash was all seized.
During the two-day operation thirty properties were searched with five
cannabis farms found and cannabis to a value of approximately £700,000
recovered and three cropped cannabis farms also discovered and closed down.
All those arrested during the operation have now been bailed pending
further enquiries.
The operation was as a result of information provided to police by local
residents who have contacted the police to thank them for the action.
One resident, from Wakefield, who spoke to Officers in the street, said:
"We are a very close knit neighbourhood. It was a big shock to find out
that there were drugs being grown in our street. I am thrilled to see the
Police dealing with it."
Superintendent Tyron Joyce, Head of Operations at Wakefield District
Police, said: ?We hope that the action we have taken this week will
demonstrate yet again to residents that they do not have to stand for
criminal behaviour in their communities.
?We are there to help them. If they tell us what concerns them then we will
respond and will take action to deal with those intent on causing problems
in local communities.
?We would urge members of the public to contact us about their suspicions ?
while they may not see action straight away as we have to make further
enquiries, I can reassure them that every call matters to us and all
information is followed up.?
A series of public displays will be held around the district later this
week urging people to contact police with information about criminal
activity.
The displays in Ossett town centre on Friday (9am till 2pm), Wakefield city
centre on Saturday (9am till 1pm, cathedral area) and outside the rugby
league ground at Featherstone (3pm till 7pm) on Saturday evening will
highlight the Why Should They? Campaign which aims to raise awareness of
how police can use the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize cash, recover cars,
house and other assets from criminals and turn them into money for local
communities.
Some criminals use the proceeds of their crimes to buy high value items at
the expense of their victims, but using the legislation enables police to
take them away and give back to communities affected by crime.
During the last financial year just over £5 million was confiscated or
forfeited from criminals in West Yorkshire and £8.6 million worth of assets
were restrained.
High value cars seized from criminals will be on display and officers will
give out information about how to contact police with information about
people who are believed to be living beyond their means in local
communities.
There are criminals living within the Wakefield district who are living off
the proceeds of crime, why should they? Ring Crimestoppers anonymously on
0800 555 111, that?s all it takes, or visit
www.whyshouldthey.com