POLICE arrested 11 people, seized assets of �160,000 and uncovered a cannabis factory after an investigation into the supply of illegal drugs in a Suffolk town.

Jonathan Schofield

POLICE recovered �25,000 cash during a series of drugs raid across Suffolk.

Officers spent three days raiding homes in Sudbury, Long Melford and Great Cornard, where they seized a quantity of drugs, cash and vehicles and made 11 arrests. Further raids also took place in Felixstowe and Stowmarket.

A total of 15 warrants were executed between Wednesday and Friday last week and up to �16,000 in assets have since been frozen.

Detective Inspector David Rutterford, who led the operation, said: “These types of crimes will not be tolerated, and we will do our utmost to arrest and prosecute anyone involved with the supply of illegal substances and ensure any financial gain from criminal activity is confiscated.”

Police arrested a 39-year-old man from Long Melford and a 47-year-old man from Sudbury on suspicion of money laundering. Both have been released on bail to return to Bury St Edmunds Police Station on November 26.

A 44-year-old woman from Sudbury, arrested on suspicion of supplying cannabis, has been bailed to appear at Bury Police Station on November 5.

Det Insp Rutterford warned that the supply and use of drugs could lead to an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.

He said: “Suffolk Police are committed to working pro-actively to reduce this type of activity and make the county an even safer place to live. I would encourage anyone with information about drug dealing in their area to contact their local Safer Neighbourhood Team.”

The eight remaining people arrested for a range of charges, including money laundering and the supply of cocaine, cannabis and class B drugs, have all been bailed to appear at Bury Police Station on November 25.