Hampshire Constabulary has seized nearly 700 cannabis plants across the New Forest region following a series of raids. The operations resulted in three arrests.
On November 25, officers carried out a raid at an address on New Road in Blackfield, where they seized around 200 cannabis plants. Long Vo, a 21-year-old man with no fixed address, was arrested at the scene. He was charged with theft of electricity and the production of Class B drugs. Vo pleaded guilty to both charges when he appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on November 26.
In a statement after the operation, Sergeant Andy Gwyer of the New Forest Priority Crime Team said the police acted on intelligence provided by the public. “We will continue to act on the information we receive,” he said. “We encourage people to report any suspected criminal activity in the Waterside area, so we can carry out further proactive operations.”
On November 26, officers discovered another cannabis factory at an address on Romsey Road in Copythorne, seizing approximately 500 plants. In a separate incident on the same day, a 27-year-old man from Lymington was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the supply of both Class A and Class B drugs. He was found with mobile phones and suspected Class A drugs. The man has been released under investigation as further inquiries are made.
On December 1, a 20-year-old man from Ringwood was arrested on Christchurch Road in Bournemouth on suspicion of driving with a controlled drug above the legal limit. He was also released under investigation, pending further inquiries.
Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, New Forest District Commander, emphasized the ongoing efforts to tackle drug-related crime in the region. “We will continue to focus on reducing drug harm in our communities, whether through warrants or other operations,” he said. “Protecting our communities and keeping people safe remains a top priority. We urge the public to continue sharing any information that could assist us in these efforts.”
Police are continuing to investigate all incidents and have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Related topics: