£20k of cannabis and £15k suspected stolen property found during raids near Frome

AVON & Somerset Police have executed four search warrants at commercial properties and workshops near Vobster, in the Frome area.

Stolen property, farm vehicles and approximately £20,000 worth of drugs were found and seized during the operation.

Three men, aged 40, 30 and 42 – all from Frome, were arrested for various theft offences, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and theft of a motor vehicle.

Officers from the local beat team were supported by colleagues from our Specialist Operations Units and members of HMRC and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Inspector Mark Nicholson, Neighbourhood Manager for the Mendip Area, said, “We conducted the warrants today based on intelligence relating to suspected theft and drug offences.

“We were looking for property we believed to have been taken from local shops and business and residential sheds, garages and farms in the area – and we weren’t disappointed!”

Officers seized a Kawasaki quad bike previously stolen from Bruton, a Karcher Pressure Washer, over 20 boxes of assorted Christmas cards and other items believed to have been stolen locally and boxes and boxes of branded tools, gardening equipment, painting and decorating items.

Two vehicles were also found to have red diesel in the fuel tanks. One was seized by HMRC and the other was returned to the owner paid an on-the-spot fine of £533.

Officers also found a large container filled with dried cannabis thought to be worth at least £20,000 in addition to scales and other paraphernalia associated with drug dealing.

Laptops, CCTV equipment and financial documents were also seized as part of the investigation.

Insp’ Nicholson continued, “We believe that the suspects arrested today have been carrying out thefts not only from local businesses but also from residential properties in the area, in addition to drug dealing.

“We understand the impact and financial implications that offences such as this can have on local residents and businesses. Excluding the drugs, we believe we have seized approximately £15,000 worth of stolen property.

“We hope our actions today go some way to reassuring the communities in and around Frome that we are working with our partners to deal with this type of extensive and repeated crime.

“I would like to thank HMRC and the NCA for their help with today’s operation and the extended investigation.

“I would like to hear from anyone in the community who has information that could help with this investigation, or any other suspected crime in the area, so please do get in touch.”

If you have information that you wish to share with the Mendip Police Team then you can either email them here or you can call 101. Alternatively you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.