TWO suspects have been arrested in Wantage as part of a major drugs bust across the Thames Valley.
More than 200 officers took part in the raids today, executing 11 warrants to target a gang suspected of growing and supplying cannabis.
The raids were mainly concentrated in Aylesbury and Reading, but one was in Wantage.
As a result of that, police said two people were arrested and 'a large quantity of cash' was seized.
🚨 VIDEO: 11 WARRANTS EXECUTED 🚨
— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) November 27, 2019
Today over 200 officers have executed warrants across Aylesbury, Reading and Oxfordshire to target an organised criminal gang who we believe have been growing cannabis and also supplying it in the Thames Valley.
We have made 15 arrests. pic.twitter.com/uIkGNK2asb
In a post on the Wantage & Grove Community Facebook page early this morning, a resident reported seeing 'heavy police presence' and a riot van.
Detective Inspector Richard Jarvis said: “Thames Valley Police is committed through its Stronghold campaign to tackle serious organised crime and exploitation by working with our partners.
“Today we have executed a number of warrants in order to tackle a potential criminal network who we believe have been using vulnerable people to grow and distribute cannabis in the Thames Valley.
“As such we have carried out a number of warrants in order to arrest those who we believe are responsible and also safeguard any vulnerable people."
Six properties in Aylesbury were raided, resulting in five arrests, and police identified four suspected cannabis factories.
Eight arrests were made in Reading.
Police are working to identify vulnerable people who have been subjected to modern slavery, and have a reception centre running to provide support to those who need support.
DI Jarvis said: “Thames Valley Police will continue to target those who seek to cultivate and sell drugs for their own gain.
“This has been a complex investigation and we would like to thank the public for the intelligence they have provided.
"Only with this information can we continue to build up information and carry out operations like the one today."
Anyone with information can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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