Operation Spider commendations for officers

Thursday 19 January 2023

Seven police officers have been praised for their work in bringing down a drugs ring after a tip off led to the conviction of numerous people involved in growing, dealing and possessing cannabis.

The Head of Law Enforcement has recently issued two commendations, and five more acknowledgements of "good work for all of the effort that went into this operation" - known as Operation Spider.

The operation was launched in the summer of 2020 when a passerby reported smelling cannabis in a lane in St Peter Port. This led officers to a property where they saw a window "with vents and ducts attached".

When the property was searched, police found 141 cannabis plants, some processed cannabis and more than £40,000 in cash. Two people were arrested at this property.

A police spokesperson has said "this was not a small-scale drug production and trafficking operation".

Follow on investigative work led to the arrest of 11 people in total, with seven convicted for "serious drug offences".

Guernsey Police said large quantities of class A (MDMA) and B drugs were seized and that this case is "a prime example of how excellent teamwork is the key to effective policing".

Pictured: Guernsey Police confiscated cannabis and cash during Operation Spider.

In a statement issued highlighting the Operation, the police spokesperson said: 

"Effective police work will always have teamwork at its heart, whether that be officers working together within their teams, or teams within the organisation working closely together."

The statement clarified the extent of the teamwork involved in investigating the case following the initial tip off.

"The initial attendance was made by our operational shift officers, and then the Criminal Investigation Department took on the investigation when the discovery was made. From here, seized devices were passed on to the High-Tech Crime Unit, who examined a mobile phone and identified one of the people being supplied significant quantities of the illegal substance.

‌"Following this analysis, three more people were arrested in connection with drug trafficking offences, and more cash and cannabis was seized. Further analysis of more devices led to more arrests and convictions of others concerned in drug trafficking. At this point, the Economic & Financial Crime Bureau were asked for assistance and also got involved with the financial aspects of the investigation.

"In recent weeks the Head of Law Enforcement has issued two commendations, and five more acknowledgements of good work for all of the effort that went into this operation. It is an important example of the good work our officers carry out on a day-to-day basis, and highlights their dedication, professionalism, and teamwork. Their combined skills directly contributed to making the Bailiwick of Guernsey a safer place to live and work."