POLICE have seized over 400 cannabis plants, heroin, cash and a machete as part of a project to reduce drug-related crime.

Officers executed a warrant at an address in Harkness Drive, Hastings, on July 14 after they received community intelligence that illegal activity was taking place inside the property.

When police arrived at the address, two men fled from the property, and they were tracked by a police drone and arrested in a nearby industrial estate.

The two men were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of a controlled Class B drug and abstracting electricity.

Upon searching the address, officers found 58 mature cannabis plants and 354 saplings, which were all seized and destroyed by police.

The two men were interviewed and have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Another warrant was carried out at a property in Chiltern Drive, Hastings, on July 23.

As officers entered the flat, an item was seen to be thrown from a window.

This was later recovered and found to be a carrier bag containing a brown powder suspected to be heroin.

The Argus: A machete was among the items that have been seized by Sussex PoliceA machete was among the items that have been seized by Sussex Police

The flat was searched, and further wraps of suspected Class A drugs were found, as well as cash and a machete.

A man and a woman were both arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled Class A drug – heroin. They have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

The work forms part of Project Adder – an initiative aimed at reducing drug-related crime and protecting people from harm.

Project Adder was launched earlier this year by the Home Office with the aim of tackling drug-related harm and reducing drug-related deaths in five key areas across the UK.

As one of those five areas, Hastings will benefit from a share of the £148 million investment in the scheme, which will run until March 31, 2023.

Led locally by East Sussex County Council and Sussex Police, Project Adder has seen an increased focus on enforcement action against those involved in drugs production and supply.

The project has also helped to safeguard people who are vulnerable and at risk of exploitation and treatment and recovery for those suffering from addiction.

For more information, look here https://new.eastsussex.gov.uk/community/people/project-adder

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