Hailsham man among those arrested after drugs and £340,000 of cash is seized from properties in Bexhill

Sussex Police say cash and drugs were seized after carrying out six searches which resulted in around £340,000 of cash being seized. Police say officers from the Rother Neighbourhood Policing Team, Neighbourhood Response Team and the East Sussex Tactical Enforcement Unit attended four addresses in Bexhill and one in Battle on February 16. The following day another address was searched in Bexhill.

At one property on Barnhorn Road on Bexhill police say officers discovered an underground cannabis growing site with approximately 700 plants and more than 1,000 dried cannabis stems. A shotgun was also recovered from the address.

According to police, a 31-year-old man from Hailsham was arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs.

As well as this, a 37-year-old man from Bexhill was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of a Class B drug and acquiring/using/possessing criminal property. A 29-year-old man and a 67-year-old man, both from Bexhill, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug and acquiring/using/possessing criminal property. A 33-year-old man from Bexhill was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug and a 60-year-old man from Bexhill was arrested on suspicion of possessing a shotgun without a certificate and producing a controlled Class B drug.

Police say all six men were interviewed and released under investigation while police enquiries are ongoing. The investigation now continues with detectives from the community investigation team leading.

Detective inspector Gavin Patch said, “This operation uncovered a significant cannabis production site and has resulted in a large quantity of drugs being seized.

“We are committed to disrupting the distribution of harmful drugs in our community, and will continue to respond robustly to information around the production and supply of drugs in the area.”

Members of the public can report drug activity to police online or by calling 101.

Reports can also be made anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.