Police Seize Drugs From An Industrial Site In Iwade

Class A drugs and 120 cannabis plants were seized by Kent Police from an industrial site in Iwade earlier today (Wednesday 9th September).

Two hundred wraps of heroin or cocaine were found at the location, off Raspberry Hill, following a dawn search warrant carried out by several agencies.

Four shipping containers are also reported to have been found being used to grow cannabis and three men, aged between 18 and 59, were arrested as part of enquiries into the cultivation.

Two dogs, two agricultural mowers and a caravan were also seized due to suspicions they had been stolen.

Swale Borough Council also joined Kent Police at the site following reports of planning conditions being breached.  

Cllr Roger Truelove, Leader of Swale Borough Council, told SFM News:  "This was a great multi-agency operation which we’re proud our officers from a range of teams helped to plan and carry out this morning. We’ve gathered valuable intelligence for ongoing investigations into alleged breaches of planning conditions. Working alongside colleagues from the different agencies has been a real success for all involved, and shows the importance of continuing this kind of collaboration."

Also present was the Environment Agency, who are investigating reports waste, including building rubble, was being illegally stored at the site. Sally Harvey, Area Director for the Environment Agency, told SFM News:  "The Environment Agency and our partners are fighting to put a stop to waste crime and we won’t hesitate to take action. Joint investigations will continue and if convicted as a result of illegal action, those responsible could face extensive fines and even prison sentences. To help avoid your waste ending up at an illegal waste site, ask for your waste collector’s waste carrier’s registration number and to see their waste transfer note; they must have them."

Chief Inspector Alan Rogers, Kent Police’s District Commander for Swale, told SFM News: "This activity is the culmination of close partnership work between us and our colleagues from several agencies. Working together we successfully applied for a search warrant from the court and executed it using our combined resources. Our partners play an important role in helping us protect the communities we serve, and we will continue to use our collective powers to target organised criminal activity and achieve the best possible results for victims of crime."