25 Nov Four arrested after cannabis haul seized in #Benfleet
Officers from Castle Point and Rochford Community Policing Team made four arrests after they discovered over 200 cannabis plants at a premises in Benfleet.
Following reports that a group of men were acting suspiciously near an industrial unit on Rayleigh Road, Benfleet, officers arrived at the scene to find an 18-year-old man who presented himself immediately and two men running into an outbuilding on November 15.
Despite their best efforts to hide, the officers found the two men who were then detained alongside the 18-year-old man whilst the officers searched the premises.
Whilst the officers searched the building, they discovered a complex cultivation set up set up to grow around 200 cannabis plants.
Many of the plants were early on in their growth and it is estimated that had they all been fully grown, they could be worth up to £90,000.
All of the cannabis plants were seized to be destroyed along with any paraphernalia used to grow drugs.
The three men – a 31-year-old and 32-year old both from Leigh and an 18-year-old from Canvey – were all arrested at the scene on suspicion of drugs production and have been bailed until December 20 pending further enquiries.
The next day, whilst officers were on scene guard at the premises, a 28-year-old man from Stanford-Le-Hope presented himself and was arrested on suspicion of drugs production. He has also been bailed until December 20 pending further enquiries.
The arrests came days after two proactive drugs warrants were executed last week in the area.
Officers from Castle Point and Rochford Community Policing Team executed a warrant at an address on London Road, Benfleet. A 39-year-old man from Woodford Green was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs after a small quantity of herbal cannabis was found at the address. He received a £90 fine.
The officers carried out a second drugs warrant during the week at a premises on Rochford Garden Way, Rochford.
The team discovered and seized 2kg of herbal cannabis in a number of individual wraps, 70g of cocaine and almost £4,000 in cash. Three people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs – a 38-year-old woman from Rochford, a 38-year-old man from Southend and an 18-year-old man from Rochford – they have all been bailed until Jan 26.
Pc Ian Risden, from Castle Point and Rochford Community Policing Team, said: “Drug use and supply continue to be a scourge in our communities along with its associated criminality and anti-social behaviour.
“The positive work carried out by the Castle Point and Rochford Community Policing Team this week involving the arrest of eight people and a substantial amount of illegal drugs and cash seizures will have made a serious dent in the supply of illegal drugs in your community.
“We encourage members of the public to continue to provide Essex Police with intelligence to support the application of drugs warrants.”
