Cannabis worth £2.5 million seized in police raid on Pontefract warehouse in Wakefield district drug unit’s biggest ever haul

A police drug unit set up in the Wakefield district seized its biggest ever haul as more than £2.5 million of cannabis was seized from a warehouse in Pontefract.
By James Carney
Published 25th Apr 2023, 19:00 BST
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A warrant was executed this morning (Tuesday, April 25) by the Neighbourhood Impact Team at a premise on Walkergate, Pontefract.

Inside the property, officers found nearly 1,000 live plants and multiple drying rooms containing more than 200kg of cropped cannabis.

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The initial estimate is that the warehouse building contained £2,628,771 worth of drugs.

Around £2.5m of cannabis was seized. Pictures by West Yorkshire PoliceAround £2.5m of cannabis was seized. Pictures by West Yorkshire Police
Around £2.5m of cannabis was seized. Pictures by West Yorkshire Police

Two men, aged 23 and 25, have been arrested on suspicion of production of a Class B drug, abstracting electricity and entering the UK without leave.

They are currently in custody.

Temporary Superintendent Phil Jackson, of Wakefield District, said: “This is the largest single seizure of drugs by the Wakefield District Neighbourhood Impact Team since their introduction in October 2021.

“We know issues around drug production, supply and use have been a long-term concern in the district.

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Two men have been arrestedTwo men have been arrested
Two men have been arrested

"I hope this action shows that we will act on community intelligence and respond quickly to protect our communities from the harm that illegal drugs cause.

"Ultimately, the drugs that we have seized today will now not make it on to the streets of Pontefract or elsewhere.”

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The Wakefield District Neighbourhood Impact Team was introduced as part of Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery).

It is the largest haul since the drug unit was set up.It is the largest haul since the drug unit was set up.
It is the largest haul since the drug unit was set up.

Wakefield was announced as a Project ADDER accelerator site in July 2021 with the district being allocated additional Home Office funding for an intensive whole-system approach led by local police, drug treatment and recovery services to tackling drug misuse and drug-related crime.

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Anyone with information about drug offences or concerns about suspicious activity at a premises in their community can report it to the police by using 101 Live Chat online or by calling 101.

There is also a specific online reporting form for reporting drug use or drug dealing which is available at: Report drug use / drug dealing | West Yorkshire Police.

Last month the force found an estimated £580,000 of illegal drugs following searches at 15 addresses in Wakefield as part of targeted activity aimed at tackling County Lines organised crime and exploitation.