POLICE fear modern slavery is happening in Wellington after an intelligence-led drug-busting operation resulted in arrests and the seizure of cannabis plants.
Avon and Somerset Police discovered 424 cannabis plants growing inside an industrial unit on Scott’s Lane, with three men hiding in squalid conditions in the attic on February 12.
The suspects were arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of being concerned in the production of a class B drug.
They were bailed following interview and two of the individuals have been referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) as their accounts raised suspicions of modern slavery.
The NRM is a framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support.
The investigation began to tackle the growing threat of organised crime groups and their involvement in illegal drug supply across the South West.
Operation Mille was a joint response by police forces in Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) to drug crime.
The operation resulted in 32 warranted property searches and 36 arrests, the recovery of 2,240 cannabis plants, 246g of cocaine, 500g and 32 wraps of ketamine, more than 20 nitrous oxide (NOS) canisters, 10 weapons and more than £57,000 in cash.
These successes contributed to the national picture where enforcement across the UK led to 346 property searches and 225 arrests. In total, police forces seized more than 45,000 cannabis plants worth an estimated street value of £45,746,000 (based on an average of £1,000 per plant), 59 weapons (including 14 firearms) and more than £183,000 in cash.
The operation used intelligence to identify and dismantle commercial-scale cannabis grows in the region.
Successful operations included the seizure of 424 cannabis plants in Wellington, 1,304 cannabis saplings in Shepton Mallet, a large quantity of class A drugs in Wincanton, 34 cannabis plants in St Annes, Bristol, and in central Bristol, two bladed weapons, nitrous oxide canisters and further quantities of cannabis were also found.
Acting detective chief inspector Matthew Lloyd, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “This operation has demonstrated, once again, what we can achieve as a region when police forces take a united stand against drug supply and related serious crime and exploitation.
“Organised crime knows no bounds or borders. It requires a robust response from our intelligence and operational teams to make the south west of England as hostile an environment as possible for drug criminals.
“By dismantling cannabis farms and disrupting supply chains, we are making significant headway in our fight against serious organised crime.
“These kinds of cases can be complex: in Wellington, although the suspects were arrested on suspicion of being involved in a criminal enterprise – illegal drug production and supply – they could also be victims and therefore extremely vulnerable.
“If you suspect drug activity or cannabis cultivation locally, I can’t overestimate the importance of reporting what you know. The intelligence you provide, no matter how small, can help us bring perpetrators to justice.”