Coronavirus: 100 people arrested and £5m of drugs seized in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire during lockdown
More than 100 people have been arrested in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire for the production or supply of drugs over the past eight weeks.
Heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis with a street value of up to £5 million has also been seized during the coronavirus lockdown.
Superintendent James Sutherland from Cambridgeshire police said: "Since the Government put the initial lockdown restrictions in place on March 23, officers have continued their operational work including carrying out numerous warrants, proactive patrols and dismantling cannabis factories as well as the necessary Covid-19 patrols.
"A total of 113 people have been arrested in relation to the production or supply of drugs.
"On Thursday, officers from the East Cambs neighbourhood team executed a section 23 misuse of drugs warrant at a property in The Hamlet, Chettisham. Weapons, around £14,000 in cash and other property was seized and a crime has been raised for money laundering.
"Last week, officers from the South Cambs neighbourhood team seized more than 580 cannabis plants worth around £487,000 in Hardwick. Two men have since been charged with the production of cannabis.
"In Peterborough officers from the Community Action Team found 141 cannabis plants worth more than £100,000. Two men have since pleaded guilty to production of cannabis and will be sentenced at a later date.
"Also, in Cambridge two men were charged with county lines offences including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs after Class A drugs worth around £7,000 were seized.
"Organised crime and drug dealing has not stopped during lockdown and neither have we.
"Our strengthened neighbourhood policing teams will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in the illegal supply of drugs to prevent the harm that their activity does to our communities and our most vulnerable residents.
"At the same time it is vital that we continue to work with our partners to ensure that there is support for drug users to rebuild their lives and support for educators to teach young people about the risks of taking drugs."