The South Glos Post

Assets worth almost £35,000 are to be seized from a Stoke Gifford man convicted of drug dealing.

In August 2009 the man admitted supplying cocaine and cannabis and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. On Friday February 05 2010 Bristol Crown Court ordered the confiscation of his realisable assets – £15,758 in cash seized from his home and two vehicles with a total value of £34,758.

The order follows an investigation by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) which showed that the man had benefited from crime to the amount of £123,932.

Dr Kirstie Cogram, who manages the FIU, said: “This confiscation order demonstrates the ongoing commitment of Avon and Somerset Constabulary to dismantling criminal networks and seizing their assets.

“This order should send a clear warning to criminals that crime does not pay and any benefits they have gained from their criminal activity will be stripped away.”

This is the 111th confiscation order obtained by Avon and Somerset Constabulary this financial year (2009-10).

Last year, assets worth more than £2.5 million were seized in 133 cases. A further £5.6 million is cash and assets have been frozen pending the outcome of current court cases.

The money seized goes to central government, the police, CPS and the courts. Through the new Community Payback scheme launched last May, some of the money is also returned to local communities.

Related link: Atrium Initiative

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Two Patchway Neighbourhood Police Community Support Officers found a cannabis factory after responding to anonymous information.

Pat Gardener and Rob Hendra went to Rodway Road on Wednesday November 25 2009 after reports that of suspicious behaviour at a house.

They found a house which had been left insecure and went in to check the property.

Inside, they found 50 cannabis plants and evidence that electricity was being abstracted from the mains.

Neighbourhood Inspector Bob Evely said: “I’d like to thank the community. Their information has helped us close down a cannabis factory and disrupt drug dealing.

“It has also enabled us to ensure the property and local homes are safe – obviously abstraction of electricity can create a potential fire risk.”

Insp Evely added that police enquiries to trace those responsible for growing the cannabis continue, and asked anyone with any information to contact Filton Police Station on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively people can call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

South Gloucestershire police have seized suspected cannabis with an estimated street value of more than £300,000 in an operation in Wick.

Officers from the district’s Proactive Team acted on information from the community to plan the operation under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Police and Crime Scene Investigation officers went to a rented house in an isolated area on Tuesday September 08 2009.

Officers discovered a sophisticated ‘cannabis factory’ with around 570 well-established plants averaging around three feet in height.

PC Mike Steven said: “Officers arrived at the property just before 9am and were at the scene until about 6pm. There was no one there and we did not make any arrests on the day, but obviously our enquiries continue.

“This operation has successfully disrupted the production and supply of drugs in the area. We would always encourage local people who have any suspicions that a property in their area is used for criminal activity to contact police. We will act on your information.”

Anyone with information about the supply of illegal drugs in South Gloucestershire can contact their local station by calling 0845 456 7000. Alternatively call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police