Cheshire police seized £5.4 million in drugs in 2024, a 160% increase. Operation Onion targets cannabis farms using drones.
Drug seizures increased a lot. From March 2023 to March 2024 they rose 160%. This was huge compared to the year before. It was the most since 2006.
Operation Onion started in March 2024. Police raided a pub in Warrington and found 720 cannabis plants there. The Northern Problem-Solving Team led this.
Police used drones to find farms. Drones spotted heat from the plants. This confirmed plant locations, ensuring officers were sure before they entered.
Officers targeted 15 spots afterwards and seized over 1,500 plants total. They arrested and charged people involved.
The police stopped many drugs, preventing illegal drugs worth £5.4M from reaching streets. Superintendent Heath commented on the operation.
She said drug disruption is daily business and these results hauled drugs off streets. They disrupted serious organized crime too.
Cheshire is between big cities like Manchester and Liverpool. Gangs use roads for drug distribution, so police will focus on this crime.
Officers will fight illegal drugs and want to prosecute all drug dealers. Dealers will be held responsible then.
To report drug activity just call 101 or visit the Cheshire police website. If you want to stay anonymous, contact Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.