UK: Police's cannabis raid over the top

Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:

After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.

The News and Star

Friday 08 Nov 2002

---
A WEST Cumbrian cannabis campaigner today accused Whitehaven police of
being "ridiculously heavy-handed" after eight officers used battering rams
to break into homes to arrest two men for alleged possession of the
controlled drug.

John Peacock, who stood for Parliament in Workington at the last election
for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, described yesterday's police raids in
Mirehouse and Woodhouse as "a waste of resources".

The police operation saw eight officers and a dog handler break into houses
following tip-offs from the public.

Joseph Hanlon, of Fleswick Avenue, Woodhouse, and Darren Bridson, of Esk
Avenue, Mirehouse, were charged yesterday and will appear before Whitehaven
magistrates on Monday.

"You would think that they were raiding the houses in search of thousands
of pounds worth of heroin the way they barged in there with battering
rams," said Mr Peacock, who is from Silloth.

"This is ridiculously heavy-handed," Mr Peacock said, adding: "especially
as the Government is getting closer and closer to downgrading cannabis to a
Class C drug.

"This just seems to be a waste of resources."

Message

But DC Tony Stagg, of Whitehaven police, was happy with the way the raids
were carried out and said they sent out an important message.

"It is still an illegal drug," he said.

"We will continue to fight the fight, and we want to hear from members of
the public who can offer any information about drugs in Whitehaven."

After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.



This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.

Feel free to link to this page!