Ten busted and £1.7m of cannabis ripped out in massive drug factory crackdown
Police have landed a hefty blow against organised crime with a month-long, nationwide blitz on cannabis factories. Ten arrests were made, and cannabis worth a staggering £1.7 million was seized.
Major Raids Across Hertfordshire
In February, law enforcement launched a series of coordinated swoops, hitting over a dozen properties in Bishop’s Stortford, Cheshunt, Croxley Green, Stevenage, Royston, and Watford.
The raids uncovered more than 2,000 cannabis plants and 3.5kg of ready-to-sell cannabis—crippling the organised drug networks behind the illegal growth operations.
Six Charged, Four Others Arrested
Six men from Gower Road, Royston, have been charged with producing controlled drugs and are now behind bars as investigations continue. The accused are:
- Ervis Mema, 22
- Gramos Ahmetai, 42
- Skender Beci, 44
- Anduel Laqi, 26
- Ledjon Cani, 18
- Amaraldo Elezi, 34
Meanwhile, four others were nabbed on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply. They include men from Watford, Cheshunt, Stevenage, and Bishop’s Stortford. All four have since been released under investigation pending further inquiries.
Police Praise Huge Disruption to Drug Gangs
Detective Inspector Paul Stanbridge from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Local Policing Command praised the crackdown’s impact:
“Cannabis cultivation is big business for organised crime gangs, generating large sums of money which funds further serious crime. These operations have made a major impact on disrupting cannabis production and drug supply in Hertfordshire, and more broadly across the region.”
He added warnings over dangers posed by illegal cannabis farms:
“Cannabis farms often pose a serious risk to nearby residents, from fire hazards due to tampered electricity supplies to increased anti-social behaviour and associated violence.”
Public Urged to Spot and Report Suspicious Activity
Police are calling on the public to stay alert and report signs of cannabis factories, which can include:
- Pungent, sweet smell of cannabis
- Blacked-out windows or vents
- Bright lights burning at odd hours
- Birds flocking on unusually warm rooftops during winter
- Heavy condensation on windows
- Tampered electric meters or strange wiring
- Frequent visitors at all hours
- Lots of compost waste or electrical gear outside
Anyone spotting suspicious activity is urged to report anonymously via Crimestoppers or call 101 to alert their local police.
This sweeping operation shines a light on the expanding scale of cannabis farming controlled by organised crime—and law enforcement’s fierce resolve to smash these dangerous drug networks and safeguard communities.
