Police say a series of drug raids in Wisbech yesterday was connected to Operation Pheasant, the multi agency task force set up to tackle migrant exploitation.

Few details have emerged of the addresses raided but police confirmed there were at least four.

The Operation Pheasant task force – that includes police, revenue and Home Office officials- executed warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

But police stressed that a key part of the intelligence behind the raids was information from the neighbourhood policing team in the town. “Four locations were searched with large quantities of cannabis and growing equipment seized,” said a police spokesman.

“Two people have been interviewed and investigations are ongoing.”

Operation Pheasant says it continues to make big strides in tackling the complex issues of migrant exploitation, illegal gang masters and poor conditions in private rented housing, particularly in Wisbech.

The co-ordinated action, which is spearheaded by Cambridgeshire police, also involves HM Revenue and Customs, the Gang master Licensing Authority, Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue and Home Office Immigration Enforcement.

Last month two men and two women were jailed for a total of more than 23 years after Operation Pheasant secured a significant conviction to end exploitation of migrant workers in the Wisbech area.