Lorry haul of 260 kilos thought to be cannabis

Four men have today been arrested on suspicion of importing £750,000 worth of the newly re-classified Class B drug  cannabis.

At approximately 10:40am Metropolitan Police officers from the Middle Market Drugs Partnership, intercepted a delivery taking place at an ex-tram depot in Uxbridge Road.

Earlier in the morning, officers had seen an articulated lorry arrive at the depot, followed by a white van and dark coloured Volvo. Four men were seen on site and it is believed the drugs were being unloaded into the depot for storage, before being further distributed in the other two vehicles.

After a short period of time, the white van began to leave the depot and officers took the decision to intercept the vehicle. The driver [A] a 42-year-old man was detained, along with the lorry driver [B] 50 years, the Volvo driver [C] 30 years and one further male found on site [D] 42 years. A search was carried out of all three vehicles and the depot under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Inside the van, officers found approximately 20 parcels of brown resin slabs, wrapped in cellophane, which are believed to be cannabis. In the back of the Volvo officers found 23 blocks of the same substance. All of the seized packages have now been sent for forensic testing.

In total it is believed that 260 kilos were imported in a locked compartment in the back of the lorry, where they had been covered up with insulation type loft lagging.

All four men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to import class B drugs into the UK and are currently in custody at West London police station.

Detective Inspector Gary Townsend from the Middle Market Drugs Partnership said, "This is a significant seizure and with the recent reclassification of  cannabis, clearly demonstrates our commitment to tackling this harmful drug."

February 6, 2009