POLICE PLEDGE CANNABIS CRACKDOWN

POLICE will go "all out" to shut Worthing's cannabis cafes as part of a new
zero tolerance approach District commander, chief inspector Russ Whitfield
(pictured), said criminals were making thousands of pounds a day out of the
cafes in Victoria Road and Brougham Road and anyone entering or leaving
would be searched and arrested if found to be in possession of illegal drugs.

He said: "My view is that these cafes are now devoid of any political
campaign and are highly organised criminal enterprises. "We have tried to
police this sympathetically by recognising the individuals' views but the
organisers and users of the cafes have abused this. "We are now working all
out to shut these premises down."

Officers, supported by specialist drugs dogs, will patrol outside the two
sites as part of Operation Harrow, a major investigation in the supply of
illegal drugs in Worthing.

Chief inspector Whitfield said: "This is not about the pros and cons for
the legalisation of cannabis. What we have here in Worthing has progressed
into organised crime with criminals making a huge amount of money out of an
illegal activity. "I am seeking the support of the council and other
partners because Worthing needs to appreciate this is not just a police
problem."

He said officers had counted 200 callers to both cafes during one day.

Detective inspector Nigel Brown is leading the investigation. He said: "The
operation should be taken as an indication of our determination to
thoroughly investigate the illegal supply of drugs in Worthing.

"Not only are people who are buying and selling cannabis breaking the law
but the cafe is having a detrimental effect on local residents and
businesses. "We want to reassure them that this activity will not be tolerated."