A police raid in Townhead Road, Dore has resulted in the arrests of two men aged 24 and 26 who are suspected to have been growing over 500 cannabis plants with a street value of approximately £500,000.

This raid was a part of a week-long operation to tackle criminal gangs involved in the cultivation of cannabis and has resulted in the seizure of over £3 million worth of drugs in South Yorkshire.

William Oliphant a resident from Totley, said: “I am very surprised to hear it, it’s a very quiet area.”

On Facebook there was an outcry of support for the Dore raid with many citizens such as Julie Ann Bathie saying, “Well done South Yorkshire Police keep up the good work.”

The nationwide operation named operation Mille sees police forces across the country coordinate search warrants with the aim of unearthing and disrupting organised crime groups (OCGs) and their illegal revenue streams.

Between 17 February and 21 February, officers in all four districts in South Yorkshire executed 17 drug warrants – resulting in over 3,000 cannabis plants being seized and 13 people arrested.

Across the week of action, a total of 3,281 plants were seized. It is estimated that each plant is worth approximately £1,000, with the total value of the plants thought to be around £3,280,000. The plants have been seized and will be destroyed.

Approximately 1,500 plants were unearthed in a grow in Doncaster Gate, Rotherham. As well as the plants, three large bags of cannabis bud were also seized.

Cocaine was also seized along with weapons which included five machetes, two CS cannisters and an axe.

The nationwide operation has resulted in £130M worth of cannabis being seized plus 20 firearms and 26 kilograms of cocaine

Overall 1000 search warrants were coordinated in one leading to  967 arrested for offences including cannabis cultivation, money laundering and weapons offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Samuel Blakemore said:

“We know that cannabis cultivations are often linked to organised criminality and exploitation of vulnerable people. It is important that people are aware of the connection between drugs and violent crime.

Detective Superintendent Fiona Gaffney, Deputy Head of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU), led the response across the Yorkshire and Humber region.  

She said: “By focusing on this source of income for organised crime groups, not only have we significantly disrupted their activities and the wider distribution of cannabis within our communities, but we’ve also gathered useful intelligence about the networks involved. “