South Yorkshire Police make more than 4,500 drug seizures in one year, with cocaine and cannabis topping the list

The number of drug seizures made by South Yorkshire Police has risen to more than 4,500 in a year, new figures show.
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Cannabis was the most commonly confiscated drug, with nearly 3,100 seizures, followed by cocaine, with more than 500.

The total number of drug seizures made by the force during the year ending March 2020 was 4,531, new Home Office statistics reveal.

Police operation in SheffieldPolice operation in Sheffield
Police operation in Sheffield
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That’s up from 4,248 the previous year and is the highest number since 2015, though it remains considerably less than the 6,555 seizures made in South Yorkshire in 2009/10.

There were 3,216 drug seizures per million people in South Yorkshire during the latest year, which is well above the England-wide average of 2,793.

Cannabis was the most commonly seized drug in the region, with 26,101 plants uncovered by police during the year, along with 184kg of herbal cannabis and 11kg of cannabis resin.

The most seized class A drug by weight was cocaine, with the 8kg tracked down by police having a street value of up to £320,000, according to the organisation DrugWise.

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Police in South Yorkshire also seized 2kg of crack, 2,000 ecstasy tablets, 1kg of heroin and 3,000 doses of methadone.

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said: “The increase in drug seizures in the last year is a reflection of the huge amount of activity happening which is bringing offenders to justice and taking drugs off our streets.

“Officers right across South Yorkshire are tackling the issue of drug-supply in our towns and city every single day. They are carrying out significant operations and executing warrants with the aim of disrupting organised criminality and cutting off supply chains.

“This momentum has not slowed during lockdown and the Covid-19 pandemic. We have continued our proactive approach throughout.

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“Whilst many people have remained inside and followed the restrictions of lockdown, criminal activity has continued on our road network and in public spaces. This has allowed for effective use of stop and search and proactive policing activity based on increased community intelligence.

“We would urge anyone with information about drug use or supply in their community to speak to us by contacting 101 or speaking to Crimestoppers.”