POLICE seized around 200 wraps of class A drugs, nine weapons and a cannabis farm during a crackdown in the run-up to Pride.
The operation also led to eight arrests in the days before Brighton and Hove Pride.
Officers carried out dozens of searches and targeted action across the city between August 1 and 4, aiming to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs during safety preparations for the event.
The activity included several arrests for the supply of Class A drugs, possession of weapons and stalking.
On August 4, officers searched a property in Coldean and found a cannabis farm, nine cannabis plants and 15 pots of recently harvested cannabis.
A crossbow with ammunition was also seized.
The occupant – a 33-year-old man from Brighton - was arrested on suspicion of cultivating a class B drug and possession of an offensive weapon.
He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
The four-day operation included 50 searches of individuals, properties and vehicles, resulting in the seizures of:
- 165 wraps of Class A drugs worth around £10,000
- Over 30 cannabis portions of varying quantities
- Nine weapons
- Five vehicles
- £5,250 in cash
- Eight people were also arrested and three safeguarding reports were compiled relating to vulnerable people.
Chief Inspector Andy Saville, of Brighton and Hove’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “Catching criminals and keeping our communities safe is a round-the-clock job, carried out every day of the year.
“This targeted activity married our safety preparations for Brighton Pride with an ongoing operation aimed at drug supply in the city.
“It was a fine example of local, community intelligence combining with enforcement to take a significant number of harmful substances, weapons and individuals off the streets.”
Pride organisers said there were around 300,000 people in the city for the event, which ran from August 5 to 7.
Sussex Police reported there were only 37 arrests, primarily for drug offences and drunk and disorderly offences.
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