Police swoop on 25 Runcorn properties in dawn raid (From Runcorn and Widnes World)
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25 local men arrested after Cheshire Police mount biggest ever cannabis operation
10:17am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Barbara Jordan
AROUND 300 police officers swooped on 25 properties today in a dawn raid in Runcorn.
Operation Gram was the biggest of its kind Cheshire Police has staged to target the suspected use and supply of cannabis.
Some 23 local men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cannabis and are currently helping police with their enquiries.
Warrants and searches were carried out at 25 properties across the town.
Specialist officers were used to gain entry to the properties and officers, who are experts in search techniques, are now carrying out detailed inspections of all the addresses.
The operation was led by officers from Runcorn Neighbourhood Policing Unit, supported by colleagues from across the force.
Representatives from partner agencies including local housing associations were also involved in the operation.
Inspector Gareth Lee, of Runcorn NPU, said: “Around 300 officers from across the force have been involved today,this shows the full extent of the operation.
“The strike phase this morning is the result of a 12 month operation by local officers focusing on a number of individuals suspected of being involved in illegal drugs in Runcorn.
“Over that period intelligence and evidence has been gathered surrounding the use and supply of Cannabis across the town.
“This has culminated today in a number of high-profile raids, which we hope will send out a strong message that this sort of behaviour is not welcome in Runcorn and will not be tolerated.
“Illegal drugs can have a major impact on local communities. It is an issue we take extremely seriously and we devote all the resources we can to tracing those responsible for drug use and supply and disrupting their behaviour.”
Local neighbourhood officers are carrying out high-visibility patrols to offer reassurance to local residents.
Officers will be handing out leaflets to homes in the areas affected and talking to members of the local community about the action that has been taken.
Inspector Lee added: “The majority of these arrests have been carried out as a result of information that has been passed on by the local community.
“This type of intelligence is vital and helps us to build up a bigger picture of what is happening in a particular area and to work out the best ways of dealing with any issues.
“Residents told us their concerns regarding suspected cannabis related activity in the town. A lot of this activity was not done behind closed doors. It was blatantly done in full view of people in the middle of the street.
“This sort of behaviour is clearly not acceptable and we want to get the message across loud and clear that those who choose to get involved in this sort of activity are not welcome in Runcorn – and it is only a matter of time before we catch up with you.”
Today’s operation does not end with the strike phase and the efforts of local officers will continue.
Inspector Lee added: “We hope that the success of today’s operation reassures people in Runcorn that we are listening to what they are saying and are taking those concerns seriously.
“We have seen first hand the effect that drugs can have on the local community and we will continue to target those suspected of being involved in this type of activity.
“But removing those suspected of drug use and supply is just one part of providing long-term solutions to drug-related problems within the local community. We would like to thank residents for their patience and co-operation throughout the 12 month operation.
“It is important that we continue to work in partnership with local people and other agencies to ensure that all the knock-on effects of drugs misuse are dealt with.
“We cannot stress how important information from members of the public is in the fight against drug related crime and we would urge anyone with any information to contact us - even the smallest amount of information can be useful when piecing together a case.
“The issue of illegal drugs is a priority for Runcorn NPU and we will continue to work closely with the local community to gather, and act upon, any further intelligence in relation to drugs.”
Anyone with any information about drug-related crime in Runcorn is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101 .
Comments(14)
widnes viking
says...
7:31pm Wed 5 Sep 12
texasholdemcarl wrote:Another idiot who believes canabis is not an issue, Probably your house next time getting the door put in.
How many pedos have they been chasing down its pathetic the policy in Runcorn they are constantly doing this. Please listen chase down murderers rapists and child abusers when these are all gone burglars and robbers then do the drugs heroin and smack. Idiotically nope a class c drug that's currently being looked at to see if they can legalise and tax it. Am I missing a point the lowest priority is the highest and tax payers pay for the local plod to pat itself on the back for a job well done is this really what the people of Runcorn want. Personally Id prefer to feel safer in my town knowing my kids can play with the safety I was afforded by the police of old. Do a survey knife crime happens in this town gun crime happens in this town put resources into reducing these be real coppers again and help guide today's youth.
IT'S ILLEGAL and it is a CRIME to produce it or use it
WELL DONE CHESHIRE POLICE
Babs Stanley
says...
8:44am Thu 6 Sep 12
Doctors would be able to prescribe one of the safest and most effective medicines that has no serious side effects at all. At the moment the government has given GW Pharmaceuticals an illegal monopoly on cannabis so they make millions out of a medicine that you can grow in your greenhouse for virtually nothing.
If we introduced a legally regulated system we would solve nearly all the problems around cannabis. Science proves how much safer it is than tobacco, alcohol, prescription medicines and all other recreational drugs. If anyone does have a problem with it they could get help without having to confess to a crime.
CLEAR published independent, expert research last year which shows that a tax and regulate policy on cannabis would produce a net gain to the UK economy of up to £9.3 billion per annum.
It is a scandal that our government, our judges, our courts, our police and our newspapers keep misleading us about cannabis. Find out the truth for yourself and wake up to the lies you have been told..
Jack Herer
says...
9:06am Thu 6 Sep 12
widnes viking wrote:The point is that paedophiles and rapists and burglars and violent thugs should be the far bigger issue but they aren't.
texasholdemcarl wrote:Another idiot who believes canabis is not an issue, Probably your house next time getting the door put in.
How many pedos have they been chasing down its pathetic the policy in Runcorn they are constantly doing this. Please listen chase down murderers rapists and child abusers when these are all gone burglars and robbers then do the drugs heroin and smack. Idiotically nope a class c drug that's currently being looked at to see if they can legalise and tax it. Am I missing a point the lowest priority is the highest and tax payers pay for the local plod to pat itself on the back for a job well done is this really what the people of Runcorn want. Personally Id prefer to feel safer in my town knowing my kids can play with the safety I was afforded by the police of old. Do a survey knife crime happens in this town gun crime happens in this town put resources into reducing these be real coppers again and help guide today's youth.
IT'S ILLEGAL and it is a CRIME to produce it or use it
WELL DONE CHESHIRE POLICE
Where is the expensive Cheshire police crack down on paedophiles or groomers? It doesn't happen. Paedophiles are a lower priority for Cheshire police than pot heads, yet who are the victims from pot?
Pot heads keep themselves to themselves, harming no-one, meanwhile drunks are ten a penny bothering everyone.
You live in a perverse world if you think we should be slapping the police on the back for spending all their expensive resources going for a victimless crime, whilst paedophiles are left un-investigated.
Perhaps you can explain to a child who has been repeatedly raped by a monster, that it's OK because the police stopped some pot heads who were watching telly and minding their own business instead.
For society to improve, we need to target the criminals who cause harm.
That doesn't mean going for cannabis.
Babs Stanley
says...
9:14am Thu 6 Sep 12
widnes viking wrote:This is a scandalous waste of public money. The police waste our money on it because it gives them quick and easy convictions that they can then shout about in the newspaper to fool us into thinking they're protecting us and doing a good job.
texasholdemcarl wrote:Another idiot who believes canabis is not an issue, Probably your house next time getting the door put in.
How many pedos have they been chasing down its pathetic the policy in Runcorn they are constantly doing this. Please listen chase down murderers rapists and child abusers when these are all gone burglars and robbers then do the drugs heroin and smack. Idiotically nope a class c drug that's currently being looked at to see if they can legalise and tax it. Am I missing a point the lowest priority is the highest and tax payers pay for the local plod to pat itself on the back for a job well done is this really what the people of Runcorn want. Personally Id prefer to feel safer in my town knowing my kids can play with the safety I was afforded by the police of old. Do a survey knife crime happens in this town gun crime happens in this town put resources into reducing these be real coppers again and help guide today's youth.
IT'S ILLEGAL and it is a CRIME to produce it or use it
WELL DONE CHESHIRE POLICE
Prohibition ALWAYS causes more harm than it prevents.
chunkymunky
says...
12:00pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Babs Stanley
says...
1:26pm Thu 6 Sep 12
chunkymunky wrote:Making the truth CLEAR in the face of misinformation and propaganda.
here we go again....its the CLEAR copy and paste gang!!
SuperSilverSourDiesel
says...
5:41pm Thu 6 Sep 12
widnes viking wrote:Dont you understand? Cannabis is safer to use than alcohol or tobacco. Yes kids shouldnt use it, like they should use the legal drugs but why have all police efforts focused on a plant known to be the safest recreational drug and medicine?
texasholdemcarl wrote:Another idiot who believes canabis is not an issue, Probably your house next time getting the door put in.
How many pedos have they been chasing down its pathetic the policy in Runcorn they are constantly doing this. Please listen chase down murderers rapists and child abusers when these are all gone burglars and robbers then do the drugs heroin and smack. Idiotically nope a class c drug that's currently being looked at to see if they can legalise and tax it. Am I missing a point the lowest priority is the highest and tax payers pay for the local plod to pat itself on the back for a job well done is this really what the people of Runcorn want. Personally Id prefer to feel safer in my town knowing my kids can play with the safety I was afforded by the police of old. Do a survey knife crime happens in this town gun crime happens in this town put resources into reducing these be real coppers again and help guide today's youth.
IT'S ILLEGAL and it is a CRIME to produce it or use it
WELL DONE CHESHIRE POLICE
Why not switch all efforts to prevention and therapy, its cheaper and much more effective than prohibition. That way police can deal with REAL crimes like muggings, rape, theft, paedophilia and murder.
The only problem with cannabis is that the whole market is handed to criminals because its illegal, and its not illegal because its harmful otherwise alcohol and tobacco would be class A drugs. The other problem with cannabis is that prohibiting something leads to further evils. Such as jail time for harmless gardeners and non problematic users. Such as contamination and violence caused by the criminals gifted this market. The only problem with cannabis is that the government refuse to control it and take it away from criminals. Jailing people is a very short term solution, long term the war on drugs keeps dealers rich.
I for done do NOT support a policy that allows criminals to become wealthy and powerful while jailing blackmailed gardeners and foot soldiers as boss man counts the cash. Especially when people grow it/use it for medicinal reasons. Like they do in Israel, 17 states in the US, Canada, czech republic, Holland and more.
Cannabis isnt the problem, prohibition causes much more harm and danger than cannabis ever could.
SuperSilverSourDiesel
says...
5:43pm Thu 6 Sep 12
chunkymunky
says...
7:57pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Babs Stanley wrote:Yet you lot always fail to clearly state your all part of an organised group of 'comment warriors' from the organisation CLEAR, so how is that not propaganda too?!?
chunkymunky wrote:Making the truth CLEAR in the face of misinformation and propaganda.
here we go again....its the CLEAR copy and paste gang!!
I have no objections to your views, infant I agree with many of them however what I do disagree with is the pretence that your all just random people commenting on a local news story when many of you don't live in the area nor comment on local stories of anything else!
SuperSilverSourDiesel
says...
8:24pm Thu 6 Sep 12
chunkymunky wrote:I live in the UK so I can comment on any news report i want in the UK. Especially when my message exposes the evil that is prohibition.
Babs Stanley wrote:Yet you lot always fail to clearly state your all part of an organised group of 'comment warriors' from the organisation CLEAR, so how is that not propaganda too?!?
chunkymunky wrote:Making the truth CLEAR in the face of misinformation and propaganda.
here we go again....its the CLEAR copy and paste gang!!
I have no objections to your views, infant I agree with many of them however what I do disagree with is the pretence that your all just random people commenting on a local news story when many of you don't live in the area nor comment on local stories of anything else!
Babs Stanley
says...
8:25pm Thu 6 Sep 12
People have been fed a constant stream of lies and misinformation for more than 40 years.
happychicky
says...
2:56pm Fri 7 Sep 12
widnes viking wrote:Imagine if it was in your street, or your child they where bullying in to selling drugs for them. if these people are who I strongly believe they are, one of them has been getting away with this for over 20 years. So yes WELL DONE Cheshire Police and Mr Texasholdemcarl why don't you wind your neck in. these scum bags deserve jail. you don't seem to realise that a very evil person has been taken off our streets that has committed to my knowledge at least 2 of the crimes you list, and that is something that we should be happy about. Unless you are one of the lackies or a customer?
texasholdemcarl wrote:Another idiot who believes canabis is not an issue, Probably your house next time getting the door put in.
How many pedos have they been chasing down its pathetic the policy in Runcorn they are constantly doing this. Please listen chase down murderers rapists and child abusers when these are all gone burglars and robbers then do the drugs heroin and smack. Idiotically nope a class c drug that's currently being looked at to see if they can legalise and tax it. Am I missing a point the lowest priority is the highest and tax payers pay for the local plod to pat itself on the back for a job well done is this really what the people of Runcorn want. Personally Id prefer to feel safer in my town knowing my kids can play with the safety I was afforded by the police of old. Do a survey knife crime happens in this town gun crime happens in this town put resources into reducing these be real coppers again and help guide today's youth.
IT'S ILLEGAL and it is a CRIME to produce it or use it
WELL DONE CHESHIRE POLICE
colmans
says...
9:46pm Tue 11 Sep 12
texasholdemcarl says...
7:05pm Wed 5 Sep 12