Police hunt 'mastermind' after £2m Doncaster drugs raid

We have made an arrest as part of an investigation into a £2 million Mexborough drugs farm, writes Insp Adrian Luscombe.
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But we are still hunting the people thought to be the real driving force behind an industrial warehouse that was found to contain around 2,000 cannabis plants at Swinton Road, Mexborough.

There was one man located at the premises, who we think may have been there as a live-in gardener.

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The unit had been disused for some time, but there had been suspicious activity going on, which led to us obtaining search warrants and raiding the site on February 5. We are now investigating to find the mastermind behind the scenes.

Police taking part in the raid on the drugs factoryPolice taking part in the raid on the drugs factory
Police taking part in the raid on the drugs factory

The day after that, the northern part of the Doncaster West neighbourhood was the focus of a day of action involving officers from all over Doncaster, focusing around Adwick and Bentley.

In terms of crime operations, we carried out drugs searches of two houses, one in Coppice Road, Highfields, and one at Balfour Road, Bentley, after obtaining warrants.

We did not find any drugs, but the raids were useful for intelligence.

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We also carried out traffic operations with the DVLA, stopping vehicles on Great North Road, and ran a community clear up in Cusworth, clearing litter, after concerns had been raised about anti-social behaviour around the Cusworth Lane backings. The reports had involved damage to fences.

We all met outside The Mallard pub, and the event showed solidarity and hopefully raised local pride.

The operation also saw us conducting test purchase operations at off licences. There were a few who failed the tests, and we will take enforcement action.

Finally, when we met residents at a meeting at Woodlands Library on January 27, residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour involving a quad bike, around The Crescent, Woodlands.

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On January 30, we seized that quad bike, after working on the issue with St Leger Homes.

The issue had been brought up at the meeting, and we told residents to call us when there was a problem with the quad bike. The next day we had several calls, and took action.