In a significant operation, police in Coventry have seized cannabis plants valued at over £500,000, arresting four men in connection with drug-related activities.
Police in Coventry have successfully seized cannabis plants valued at over £500,000 during a significant operation targeted at drug-related activities in the city. The operation, named Operation Advance, took place on the morning of 19 March, with officers executing a number of warrants across various locations.
Significant activity was reported in the Radford and Holbrooks areas, particularly on Dunster Place, where two properties were raided. Here, officers discovered approximately 300 cannabis plants, leading to the arrest of two men. Notably, one of the suspects was found attempting to evade capture by hiding in a wheelie bin, according to a statement from Coventry Police.
In addition to the raids on Dunster Place, another property on Three Spires Avenue was targeted, revealing an extensive cannabis farm that spanned four separate rooms. More than 100 additional plants were confiscated from this site. Two unidentified men were arrested after they attempted to conceal themselves in the loft of the building.
The operations in Coventry were part of a broader regional campaign against County Lines drug trafficking, which has seen coordinated action across the West Midlands, including Birmingham and Sandwell. In this crackdown, police have reported recovering more than £20,000 in cash alongside the cannabis plants.
A spokesperson for Coventry Police provided context to the crackdown, stating, “County Lines sees organised criminal groups use dedicated phone numbers to move and supply drugs. Criminals exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs.”
The substantial police operation reflects ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime in the region, with authorities emphasizing the importance of disrupting criminal networks that target vulnerable individuals for illicit activities.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2025/03/19/major-action-on-county-lines-drug-dealers-targets-walsall-sandwell-wolverhampton-and-dudley/ – This article supports the claim of a major operation against County Lines drug dealers in the West Midlands, including Coventry, where significant drug seizures and arrests were made.
- https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/news/west-midlands/news/ – This webpage provides general information on West Midlands Police operations, which includes efforts against County Lines drug trafficking.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10311201/ – Although not directly related to the specific operation in Coventry, this article discusses the use of digital evidence in criminal investigations, which could be relevant to policing strategies in such operations.
- https://insideireland.ie/2025/03/11/march-2025-drug-seizures-drugs-including-cocaine-and-cannabis-worth-over-6m-seized-in-co-antrim/ – This article highlights significant drug seizures in Ireland, which, while not directly related to Coventry, shows the broader context of drug enforcement efforts in the region.
- https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2025/03/19/major-action-on-county-lines-drug-dealers-targets-walsall-sandwell-wolverhampton-and-dudley/ – This article specifically mentions a cannabis farm in Coventry’s Holbrooks area, where over 100 plants were seized, aligning with the details provided about Operation Advance.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The operation occurred on 19 March, indicating recent activity. There is no evidence of the content being recycled from older articles or press releases.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from the Coventry Police spokesperson does not appear to be widely referenced online, suggesting it might be original. However, without further context or earlier sources, it’s difficult to confirm its origin.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a local news outlet, which generally provides reliable information about local events. However, it is not a major national or international publication.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the police operation and cannabis seizures are plausible and consistent with typical law enforcement activities. The details provided align with common practices in drug-related operations.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and original, with plausible claims about a police operation. The source is generally reliable, although not a major publication. The lack of widely available earlier sources for the quote suggests it might be original.
