Drugs, Weapons and Illegal Cash Seized in Cornwall Crackdown

Devon & Cornwall Police spent the whole of March taking part in a nationwide operation targeting organised crime groups linked to south eastern Europe, resulting in 18 arrests and the seizure of drugs, weapons and thousands of pounds in criminal cash.

What Was Operation Mille?

Operation Mille has been running since 2023 as the national policing response to organised crime connected to south eastern Europe. This time around, the operation placed particular emphasis on organised immigration crime, alongside its ongoing focus on Class A drug supply and large-scale cannabis production.

The operation ran throughout March 2026 across police forces in England and Wales, with Devon & Cornwall’s Intelligence department playing a key role in its local success.

What Was Seized in Devon & Cornwall?

The results across the force area were significant. Officers arrested 18 people and seized £10,770 in criminal cash, along with 500 packets of illegal tobacco, two vehicles and multiple e-bikes.

Two properties were targeted for cannabis production: one in Plymouth and one in South Molton. Both were found to contain significant illegal cannabis grows, with modern slavery and immigration checks carried out at each site. In total, 370 cannabis plants were seized for destruction.

One youth was referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the process used to identify victims of modern slavery or human trafficking and ensure they receive support.

Working alongside UK Immigration Enforcement, officers also deported four people who had arrived in the UK illegally and had no right to remain.

“Innovative Interventions”

Detective Inspector Gary Matthews of Devon & Cornwall Police’s Intelligence department highlighted one particularly unusual tactic used during the operation.

“Acting on intelligence received and developed both locally and nationally, Devon & Cornwall Police has been able to play its part in disrupting the serious threat from organised crime groups,” Gary said.

“Illegal drugs, weapons and criminal cash have been seized, and working with colleagues from UK Immigration Enforcement four people who arrived in the UK illegally and have no right to stay here have been deported.

“We have also carried out some innovative interventions, such as what we call Op Pester. We seized the mobile phone of a drug line holder and sent messages to the 105 contacts in the phone, his customers, signposting them to drug services and potentially creating intelligence gathering opportunities.”

Gary added: “Disrupting organised crime groups that are responsible for facilitating and profiting from illegal migration into the UK, and reducing their ability to exploit vulnerable people, including through modern slavery and human trafficking, is a policing priority. We can also safeguard vulnerable people who have been coerced into criminal activity and exploited.”

The National Picture

Across England and Wales, Operation Mille led to 249 arrests. Officers also seized around 13,100 cannabis plants, 307kg of non-plant cannabis, 42.6kg of cocaine, £352,000 in cash and 104 vehicles.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez welcomed the force’s involvement: “I’m pleased to see the Force’s efforts to contribute to a national week of action to tackle drug dealing in our communities.

“People tell me, both in surveys by my office or in person, that they want to see more done to tackle drug dealing. Every effort of enforcement saves lives, disrupts criminals and is a message to many recreational users that drugs are not for fun.”

How to Report Drug Crime in Your Area

If you are experiencing issues with drugs in your community, including anti-social behaviour or concerns that vulnerable people are being exploited, you can contact Devon & Cornwall Police by calling 101 or by making a report online.

To report crimes completely anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity with no direct connection to the police.