More than 1,000 arrested in UK weed planter raid

Police in the UK recently arrested more than 1,000 people and confiscated more than 180,000 cannabis plants in a bid to crack down on illegal marijuana cultivation. According to media reports, the eradication campaign, dubbed ‘Operation Millie’ by UK law enforcement, ran throughout June and included all police forces in England, Scotland and Wales.

Steve Jupp, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) for serious and organized crime, told reporters that the operation “successfully shut down a significant portion of criminal activity.”

Operation Millie was the largest cannabis eradication campaign to date. More than 11,000 police officers across the UK took part in the month-long campaign. The National Crime Agency and Immigration Enforcement were also involved in the operation, which saw more than 1,000 arrest warrants executed in June. Of the more than 1,000 arrested, around 450 have now been charged with a crime.

In addition to the nearly 200,000 cannabis plants seized during Operation Millie, police also seized 15 to 20 firearms, about 40 other guns and £650,000 ($825,000) in cash. Police estimated the value of the cannabis plants seized at £130million, although some have pointed out that such estimates by law enforcement are often overstated.

Raids on criminal gangs

Police said the operation was not only carried out to wipe out illegal cannabis cultivation sites, but also to dismantle organized criminal gangs, who are using the money generated by the operations to fund other criminal activities. Other offenses committed by such gangs include money laundering, violence, and Class A drug trafficking, all offenses that the NPCC says “harm communities.” In the UK, cannabis is classified as a Class B drug, while potentially addictive and more dangerous substances such as heroin are listed as Class A drugs.

“We know that organized networks involved in cannabis production are also directly linked to a range of other serious crimes such as importing Class A drugs, modern slavery, and generalized violence and exploitation,” Jupp said.

Police said illegal cannabis growers have used buildings of various sizes to house their operations, noting that illegal cannabis farms have been found in a range of buildings, from empty apartment buildings to large industrial complexes. Often the locations are dangerous because the operators steal electricity and there is a risk of fire. Locations can also be subject to water damage and heavy fumes.

“Not only has this operation successfully shut down a significant portion of criminal activity, but the information gathered will help inform future law enforcement agencies across the country,” Jupp said. “Cannabis-related crime is often classified as ‘low scale’, but there are clear patterns in the exploitation and violence organized crime groups use to protect their businesses. We also often find that cannabis production is just one aspect of their criminal activities and that they engage in broader crimes that harm our communities.”

British police chiefs are calling for the decriminalization of drugs

Late last year, the NPCC announced that the group was developing a plan to effectively decriminalize possession of drugs, including cannabis and cocaine. If adopted by the government, use and possession of small quantities of recreational drugs would be treated as a public health issue for first-time offenders, rather than a criminal offense punishable by prison or other penalties.

The proposals, drafted by the NPCC and the College of Policing, would effectively decriminalize possession of Class A drugs, including cocaine, and Class B substances such as marijuana. The plan aims to offer people caught with illegal drugs the opportunity to participate in drug education or treatment programs instead of being prosecuted.

Police would take no further action against those who agree to complete the program to give them a chance to avoid a criminal record. Those who do not complete the drug program or are subsequently caught with illegal drugs must continue to be prosecuted.

Former NPCC drug affairs chief and former deputy police chief Jason Harwin is working with the College of Policing on the new partial decriminalization strategy.

“We should not criminalize anyone for drug possession,” he said in a statement reported by The Telegraph. “It should be a redirect to other services to give them the opportunity to change their behavior.”

Fourteen of Britain’s 43 police forces have already passed guidelines similar to what the country’s police chiefs are proposing to decriminalize drugs. But the plan runs counter to the country’s Conservative Party government, which has put forward proposals to increase penalties for recreational drugs, including cannabis.