Op Mille: 19 warrants executed as part of national operation targeting organised crime gangs

Merseyside Police executed 19 warrants, arrested five people for drug related offences and seized a firearm, ammunition and over 650 cannabis plants as part of a national week of action aimed at disrupting organised criminal gangs.

All 43 police forces across England and Wales, working with Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) and partner agencies have been working to disrupt criminal networks involved in cannabis production and other serious criminality as part of Op Mille.

Merseyside Police executed 19 warrants, arrested five people for drug related offences and seized a firearm, ammunition and over 650 cannabis plants as part of a national week of action aimed at disrupting organised criminal gangs.

The aim of the action is to disrupt criminal networks’ revenue streams and wider activity linked to issues such as illegal migration, violent crime and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

In Merseyside 19 warrants were executed over a 10-day period in areas including Kensington, Walton, Toxteth, Aigburth, Speke, Tranmere and West Derby.

Nadir Elezaj, 18, of Grafton Grove, Liverpool, was charged with cultivating a Class B drug and abstracting electricity. He was remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 24 March.

A 29-year-old man from Wavertree, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm without a certificate, possession of ammunition without a certificate, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug Class A, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug Class B and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug Class C. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A 34-year-old man from Netherton was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of a controlled drug Class B and possession of a controlled drug. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A 64-year-old man from Anfield was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug Class B and producing a controlled drug Class B. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

A 23-year-old man from Kensington was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug Class B, cultivating a Class B drug, acquiring/using/possessing criminal property and abstracting electricity. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Over 650 cannabis plants were also recovered together with suspected Class A drugs, graft phones and drugs paraphernalia.

Chief Inspector Steve Robinson said: “Merseyside Police remains committed to targeting those who commit crimes and disrupting organised crime groups.

“The week of action is just a snapshot of the work we do on a daily basis to achieve that aim and shows how our work is focused across the whole of Merseyside.

“We know drug dealing is often linked to organised crime which results in violence, exploitation and antisocial behaviour which impacts on our communities and the law-abiding people that live there.

“We also know that it can lead to other criminal activity such as County Lines, drug trafficking, modern slavery and child sexual exploitation.

“We know that cannabis farms are often linked to serious criminality and their locations, frequently in residential areas, pose a real danger to neighbouring properties.

“If you spot any signs that cannabis is being grown near where you live and work please let us know so that we can continue to take action.”

A video in which Matt Brown, Head of our CDT, explains how you can spot signs of cannabis being grown near where you live can be found here - https://youtu.be/rc59i2dsZHM

Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown are:

- Strange smells and sounds

- Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times

- Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting

- Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed

- Heat from an adjoining property

- Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather

 

Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more suspicious

Anyone with information on suspected drug production or criminal activity in their community can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or come forward anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.