Firearm and cannabis farm worth more than £120,000 discovered after police stop wanted man

A wanted man was stopped by police who went on to find a firearm, along with a cannabis farm believed to be worth more than £120,000.

Officers initially stopped the 39-year-old man on Brenda Road in Hartlepool at around 8.45pm on Monday and found the weapon and suspected cocaine in the vehicle. A subsequent search of a property on Kyle Avenue in the town on Tuesday morning led to the discovery of the cannabis farm, “believed to be worth up to £121,800”.

A second man, aged 43, was arrested there on suspicion of production of cannabis. The 39-year-old driver was arrested by the Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team on suspicion of possession of a firearm and possession of class A drugs.

Both men remain in police custody. Hartlepool Neighbourhood Sergeant, Tony Snow, said: “We will always look to act upon information and take drugs from the streets of Hartlepool, where they can end up in the wrong hands and can harm people.” He urged anyone with information on drugs activity in Hartlepool to contact Cleveland Police on 101.

People can also report crimes anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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