A MASSIVE haul of cannabis was seized by police as part of a day of action targeting York’s criminals.

Two Ministry of Defence policing teams joined officers yesterday in targeting the western part of the city, with suspected drug dealers and cable thieves in their sights.

Five people were arrested in the crackdown, codenamed Operation Cage, including a 39-year-old on suspicion of cultivating cannabis after police found a drug farm at a terraced house in Poppleton Road.

Acting Sgt Amanda Reader said the raids were a result of information from the local community. She said: “The flat and contents indicated the operation had been running for a sustained period. Police have recovered a substantial amount of prepared cannabis, plants ready for cultivation and a large amount of cash.”

The day of action also involved a police response squad, a dog unit and City of York Council teams. Three drug warrants were executed, with a 41-year-old man arrested on suspicion of producing a Class B drug, after cannabis plants were found at a property in Gale Lane.

In a separate property in Gale Lane, two women were quizzed after the discovery of a white powder. A 48-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, while the execution of three court warrants led to two further arrests.

British Transport Police focused on railway crime in the Acomb area following a recent rise in cable theft and trespassing on the lines.

Operation Cage also saw vehicles travelling on the outer ring road checked to ensure they were roadworthy, and warnings and advice about shed break-ins were issued. Domestic abuse co-ordinators also visited homes to check on the welfare of repeat victims of domestic abuse.

Acting Inspector Iain Sirrell, who has recently taken over the role as North Yorkshire Police’s York West inspector, said: “I am really pleased it has gone so well. We will continue to target those who cause problems for the communities on the West side of York. Our aim is to make life for them as unpleasant as possible. This day of action merely supplements the highly successful day to day work the West side policing team do.”

Acting Sgt Reader, who coordinated the raids, said it was an excellent example of police working other organisations, such as the council, and said it was “by far not the last” such operation.

Officers also visited schools on the last day of term to warn youngsters not to take part in antisocial behaviour or under-age drinking.