POLICE in Devon have taken part in a national police operation targeting organised crime linked to south eastern Europe

In March, Devon & Cornwall Police took part in Operation Mille.

Launched in 2023, Operation Mille is the national policing response to organised crime linked to south eastern Europe.

Its primary focuses are on the supply of Class A drugs, large scale cannabis production and especially this time on organised immigration crime.

Organised criminals from this part of Europe often play an active role in encouraging, facilitating and enabling illegal migration into the UK, and cannabis “factories” are often linked to exploitation of that migrant workforce.

Detective Inspector Gary Matthews of the Intelligence department of Devon & Cornwall Police, which was vital in the success of the operation, said: ‘Acting on intelligence received and developed both locally and nationally, Devon & Cornwall Police has been able to play its part in disrupting the serious threat from organised crime groups.

‘Illegal drugs, weapons and criminal cash have been seized, and working with colleagues from UK Immigration Enforcement four people who arrived in the UK illegally and have no right to stay here have been deported.

‘We have also carried out some innovative interventions, such as what we call Op Pester.

‘We seized the mobile phone of a drug line holder and sent messages to the 105 contacts in the phone, his customers, signposting them to drug services and potentially creating intelligence gathering opportunities’.

The results of the operation across Devon & Cornwall include:

  • 18 people arrested
  • £10,770 of criminal cash seized
  • 370 cannabis plants seized for destruction following modern slavery and immigration checks at a property in Plymouth and a Misuse of Drugs warrant served on a property in South Molton, both of which contained significant illegal cannabis grows
  • 500 packets of illegal tobacco seized
  • 2 vehicles and multiple e-bikes seized
  • 1 youth referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) which identifies victims of modern slavery or human trafficking and ensures they receive support.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: ‘I am pleased to see the Force's efforts to contribute to a national week of action to tackle drug dealing in our communities.

‘People tell me, both in surveys by my office or in person, that they want to see more done to tackle drug dealing.

‘Every effort of enforcement saves lives, disrupts criminals and is a message to many recreational users that drugs are not for fun’.

Detective Inspector Matthews went on to say: ‘Disrupting organised crime groups that are responsible for facilitating and profiting from illegal migration into the UK, and reducing their ability to exploit vulnerable people, including through modern slavery and human trafficking, is a policing priority.

‘We can also safeguard vulnerable people who have been coerced into criminal activity and exploited’.

If you experiencing issues with drugs in your community, such as anti-social behaviour, or you suspect that vulnerable people are being exploited, please get in touch with the Devon & Cornwall Police.

You can call 101 or make a report online at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk

Alternatively, report crimes 100% anonymously through Crimestoppers, the charity that is independent of the police, on 0800 555 111.