Millions of pounds worth of drugs were seized as well as 160 arrests have been made in a bid to crackdown on organised crime in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Operation Orbit is a joint response from the forces that started in February this year and has led to  the discovery of Class A drug supply, industrial scale cannabis farms and money laundering. 

Since launching, the operation has seen more than £350,000 in cash seized, with seizures of cannabis valued in excess of £8 million and a large amount of cocaine seized. Cocaine is one of the drugs commonly seized by officers within the Sentinel team. 

During one incident in Suffolk, officers used CCTV to trace unaccompanied minors located in Ipswich back to London and uncover senior figures within a crime group. 

From this a man subsequently pleaded guilty to drug supply and money laundering offences, with £50,000 recovered in a safe house. 

Seizure of Cannabis factory Seizure of Cannabis factory (Image: Suffolk Police) 

Sergeant Dave Logan from the Ipswich based South Sentinel Team said “We have been tackling this type of organised crime over the past few years, but February saw the start of joint working across both forces. 

"With more support, we have been able to increase the amount of work we do, which has led to more arrests, drugs and cash seizures and most importantly, more individuals being remanded to prison."

In total there have been 160 arrests for drug supply and linked offences with a current charge and demand rate of 65%. 

Cocaine located by Suffolk Police Cocaine located by Suffolk Police (Image: Suffolk Police)

Police are also keen to share what residents, landlords and businesses should look out for.

Criminal activity in these crime groups can linked to other serious crimes including human trafficking, modern slavery and sexual exploitation. 

This includes businesses being used in the hiring of vehicle as well as dormant homes, warehouses and buildings being rented possibly to house cannabis factories. 

If you suspect drug activity report this via the website www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/report-crime, call 101, or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers to report anonymously – either online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.