East Area police seize drugs worth £295K in Hornchurch and arrest wanted man hidden under floor boards.

‘This is a fantastic result in our efforts to disrupt organised crime groups who are operating across Havering as part of our ongoing Clear Hold Build initiative’ Inspector Connolly.

On Thursday 7 March Safer Neighbourhood officers in Hornchurch executed a search warrant under Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 at a commercial garage premises, at the rear of Billet Lane.

The intelligence was developed by the local East Area Drugs Focus Desk. The location was at the rear of the shops in the garage area.  The yard had wooden hoarding around the perimeter, with a wooden garage inside. 

Trained method of entry officers attended and cut the locks to gain entry to the garage.  Inspector Mark Connolly and Sergeant Lee George and their team led the operation along with the Havering Joint Task Force and Drugs Focus Desk. This operation was supported by Inspector Routley and his North Neighbourhoods team currently piloting Clear Hold Build across Havering.  

Inside the garage was a single bed, extensive lighting equipment, tea making facilities and a microwave indicating that someone was residing inside, along with around 295 cannabis plants with an estimated value of around £295k.

Initially officers thought there was no one present in the garage, but a mobile phone on the side was constantly ringing, which led officers to believe that someone was inside as there were no exits available for someone to have left the premises.

An extensive search was conducted and a trap door was found in the toilet floor. A male was found inside the sewage area under the floor and arrested for suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.  A name check revealed that he was also wanted on a recall to prison.

Inspector Mark Connolly of the Havering Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: “Today is a fantastic result in our efforts to disrupt organised crime groups who are operating across Havering as part of our ongoing Clear Hold Build initiative. We understand that these large scale operations are often run by organised crime groups, who are often connected to very serious violence.  You can report any concerns you have around drugs or drugs supply anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111”

The premises has now been secured by the Police and all plants will be seized, whilst the investigation continues.

Link to video

https://mps.box.com/s/y671n2wihd0iwl9zowcjzh6te48ifq9m

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