Police raid uncovers cannabis farm (From Messenger Newspapers)

Police launch operation to tackle persistent offenders

3:05pm Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Stretford

A CANNABIS farm was uncovered following a raid in Stretford on Tuesday.

The farm, consisting of around 15 plants with an estimated street value of £6,000, was found in a room at the rear of the property on School Road.

The raid happened on the day Operation Griffin was launched - a multi-party initiative, funded by Trafford Council, aimed at targetting repeat offenders who negatively affect the community through low-level crime and anti social behaviour.

Two men aged 20 and 22 - not tenants at the address - were arrested on suspected possesion of a Class B drug and a firearm, after originally being targetted for drugs offences.

Inspector Andrew Sutcliffe of Stretford Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “This is a successful result. You don’t always know what you’re going to find on a job like this.”

Leader of Trafford Council, Matthew Colledge said: “These arrests will be the tip of the iceberg. This shows the importance of Operation Griffin. It sends out a clear message to the criminal fraternity that their actions will not be tolerated in Trafford.”

Operation Griffin will see the police work together with bodies including Trafford Council and the DWP to target offenders of crimes such as non-payment of fines, benefit fraud and disabled parking blue badge offences.

Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts said: “The types of people who commit these offences are more likely to break more serious laws. I won’t make any apology for targetting this sort of crime.”