GLOUCESTERSHIRE Police have arrested ten men during a two-day operation targeting cannabis farms. 

Eight of the men were from Gloucester and aged between 20 and 33. 

A 21-year-old man from Norwich and a 32-year-old man from Essex were also arrested. 

All the men were arrested on a variety of offences including fraud, the supply of class B drugs and the manufacture and production of class B drugs.

Operation Cleveland was set up following information received earlier in the year surrounding Serious and Organised Crime Gangs operating in Gloucestershire.

It is believed these gangs also have links to Bristol, Birmingham and London and police wanted to establish the level of criminal activity.

As a consequence of these investigations, Gloucestershire Police executed early morning drugs warrants at four residential and one business premises in Gloucester on Wednesday, October 11.

These addresses housed Albanian gang members who were arrested on suspicion of offences relating to the supply of controlled drugs.

This part of the operation was followed by officers executing drugs warrants at a further five properties in Gloucester and one in Cheltenham which had been identified as cannabis farms.

Further arrests of cannabis ‘farmers’ took place at these addresses. The amount of cannabis plants found at these farms was substantial and believed to be valued at around £750,000.

The second phase of the operation took place yesterday, October 12.

This involved police visiting four car washes in Gloucestershire to find out if any outlets were being used for criminal activity, including the possibility of harbouring illegal immigrants.

Police arrested a 32-year-old Albanian man of no fixed abode for immigration offences at a car wash in Cheltenham.

Officers also identified a 17-year-old girl who was found to be working in inappropriate circumstances. Safeguarding measures have been put in place around her.
Detective Inspector Ian Fletcher said: “We want to ask people to be aware of what may be going on in residential houses nearby.

"Please be on the lookout for unusual activity, including houses where the windows are permanently blocked out; where an unusual ventilation system may be in sight; where large pieces of electrical equipment or even large deliveries of fertilizer are taking place, as well as a strong smell of cannabis coming from a property."

If you have concerns call police on 101 or email 101@gloucestershire.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.