Armed police stop van containing drugs and weapons

The van was stopped using a stinger on the A1 near Newark

A van containing cannabis plants and weapons was stopped by armed police in Lincolnshire following reports from Humberside Police of an aggravated burglary.

Officers from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire stopped the vehicle by using a stinger device on the A1 near Newark.

A search of the van found a large quantity of cannabis and three machetes.

Three men, aged 18, 21, and 23, were detained on suspicion of aggravated burglary, possession of a blade in a public place and possession of Class B drugs.

Ch Insp Iain Blackstock, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “These arrests were the result of effective cross-border collaboration between three police forces.

“Criminals don’t operate to borders, so neither will we, and we will use all resources available to stop criminals in their tracks.

“This is a great example of how our police teams utilise their specialist training to pursue criminals and bring them into custody.”

The three arrested men have been released on bail.

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