Bristol man involved in £2 million worth of cannabis found at airport
TWO million pounds worth of herbal cannabis destined for the streets of the South West has been intercepted by police.
TWO million pounds worth of herbal cannabis destined for the streets of the South West has been intercepted by police.
The drugs - 650 kilos in total - were found at Heathrow airport on Tuesday October 1 by Border Force officers, having arrived in the UK on a flight from South Africa.
A man aged 32 and from Bristol, and a man, aged 50 from Wales, were arrested yesterday morning in connection with this investigation.
They remain in police custody at this time.
The operation has seen officers from Zephyr (the South West's serious and organised crime team) working closely with the new National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force, Avon and Somerset Police and Dyfed Powys Police.
Herbal cannabis resin can fetch an estimated £3,000 per kilo at street level.
A fully grown cannabis plant can be worth up to £1,000.
Detective Inspector Paul Fell from Zephyr said: "This operation will have a significant impact on the serious and organised criminals operating in our area.
"I have no doubt that these drugs would have caused serious harm to our communities bringing with them associated crime and misery.
"It also goes to show our commitment to taking a team approach, working with our partner agencies and the NCA to tackle serious crime.
"I hope this result will send the message that drugs are not welcome in the South West and we will continue to target those intending to sell them in our area."
Matt Horne, from the National Crime Agency (NCA) said: "Working with partners like Zephyr and using our national and international reach, the NCA is leading the national fight to cut serious and organised crime and our impact is being seen and felt in UK communities.
"This significant drugs seizure and associated arrests are the result of a sustained and complex surveillance operation, and there will be no let up in the UK law enforcement response to those seeking to profit from criminality."
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk 10/10/2013
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