Police swoops uncover pot worth £40,000

POLICE made eight arrests and uncovered £40,000-worth of cannabis as part of a three-day crime blitz across the Dearne Valley.

Operation Dearne saw officers from Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley join forces to raid properties, hand out fines, seize drugs and reassure the community.

In Barnsley, cannabis with a street value of approximately £36,000 was discovered at properties on Doncaster Road in Darfield, Dove Close in Bolton-on-Dearne and Whinside Crescent in Thurnscoe.

Two arrests were made, a 53-year-old man at Dove Close and a 26-year-old man at Whinside Crescent, both on suspicion of production of cannabis.

In Doncaster, a 29-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were arrested at a property on Maple Road, Mexborough, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis.  Drugs paraphernalia was recovered and £3,000 in cash was seized.

Another arrest was made on Maple Road; a 38-year-old man for possession of a controlled substance.

In Rotherham, 13 cannabis plants were seized with a street value of approximately £4,000 from properties on Cliffe Road in Brampton, Carnley Street in West Melton and Burman Road and Keble Martin Way in Wath.

A caution for cultivation of cannabis was given to a 49-year-old man at Burman Road.

A 19-year-old man was given an £80 fine and a street caution for possession of cannabis on Lesley Road in Goldthorpe and a 17-year-old male was reported on summons after he was stopped and found to be in possession of cannabis on Browning Road, Mexborough.

Two men were arrested for non-payment of fines, a 45-year-old from Bolton-on-Dearne and a 32-year-old from Mexborough.

Various other drugs including steroids, temazepam and amphetamines were also discovered and seized from properties on Low Grange Road, High Street and Westside Crescent in Thurnscoe.

Chief Insp Simon Wanless, leading the team for Barnsley, said: “The results of this operation have demonstrated that by working together and being visible in the Dearne area, we are able to reassure the public that we are committed to tackling crimes in key areas and targeting criminals.”

Rotherham Chief Insp Ian Womersley added: “South Yorkshire Police will continue to share resources to not only bring offenders before the courts but seize their assets, which are often illegally gained.”

Also during last week’s raids, three drivers were reported on summons for traffic offences, two drivers were given fines for not wearing a seat belt and one driver’s vehicle was seized for failing to have insurance in the Thurnscoe area.

A quad bike was seized on Cumley Bank in Mexborough from a 23-year-old man for riding in an antisocial manner.

A drugs operation took place on Friday evening at licensed premises in Wath, Swinton, Bolton-on-Dearne, Goldthorpe and Thurnscoe.

Eight premises were checked and in three, a small quantity of discarded bags of drugs was discovered. This resulted in a verbal caution, an £80 fine and a dispersal notice issued to three individuals.

High visibility patrols were also conducted and crime prevention advice given.