More than £95,000 worth of drugs were seized and 23 people arrested during a week-long series of targeted raids in Wiltshire.
Large quantities* of heroin, crack and cocaine, along with a Samurai sword were recovered in the latest phase of Operation Scorpion – an initiative involving the South West’s five police forces.
In Wiltshire, there were:
- 23 arrests
- more than £95,000 worth of drugs seized
- six adults and seven children safeguarded (this is where multi-agency measures are put in place to ensure they are protected from possible further criminality).
During the seven days of operations from 30 September to Friday 4 October, police teams targeted gangs and addresses of suspected drugs dealers and suppliers; increased the number of patrols of known hot-spots and used ANPR technology to disrupt County Lines activities through vehicle checks and stops.
Wiltshire Police Detective Chief Inspector Megan Elkins said: “Operation Scorpion is a great opportunity for us to work together with partners, colleagues and other police forces from across the South West to target County Lines and to ensure the region is no place for drugs.
“Through excellent proactive work, featuring a number of specialist teams across the Force, we were able to execute a series of warrants as well as carry out several roads policing operations; this resulted in several arrests, along with thousands of pounds worth of drugs being seized.
"Our prevention work during operations like this is very important too. Last week staff and officers visited schools and colleges to highlight the serious dangers of drug driving. Drug driving can be linked to the bigger picture of organised criminal gangs dealing drugs through County Lines. The **Fatal Five message around road and driver safety was communicated through our officers talking to students as well as through our social media channels.
"These arrests and seizure results mean that a significant amount of drugs have been removed from our streets, as well as the disrupting of the organised criminal networks which prey on the vulnerable and bring so much misery to our communities.
“Our work continues but we also need the public's help. Please continue to report whenever you suspect drug dealing, so we can build up our intelligence picture allowing us to investigate where the issues are."
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "Operation Scorpion demonstrates a collaborative, border-less approach to policing to reduce the serious harm and violence caused by drugs across the whole region, as drug crime isn’t just a problem in urban police areas.
“Drug crime, and the violence that usually accompanies it blights the lives of our residents and the communities they live in. By continuing to report your concerns to the police they are better placed to tackle the issues head on and take action as demonstrated by Operation Scorpion.
“This iteration focused on denying criminals access to the region via our road networks and therefore disrupting the activity of criminal gangs. Our stance on this will always be clear – Wiltshire and the South West is no place for drugs.”
South West regional drugs intensification weeks are a collaboration between the five police forces in the South West region – Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Avon & Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The region’s five Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the independent charity CrimeStoppers are also combining their resources to tackle drug supply in the region and make the South West a hostile environment for those who deal drugs and engage in anti-social drug taking activity.
Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity should report it to their local police service online or using the non-emergency 101 telephone line. Always call 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively you can pass information anonymously to the independent charity CrimeStoppers, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or you can use their non-traceable online form. They will never ask for a name or contact details and the phone call or online report will never be traced. If the information supplied leads to an arrest and charge, there could be a cash reward of up to £1,000.
*Wiltshire stats:
- 23 people arrested
- five people charged with offences to date
- estimated £95,000 worth of crack, heroin and eight kilos of Class B drugs seized
- 75 wraps of heroin (5 grams) and crack (2.5 grams)
- 55 grams (around £5000 worth) of cocaine found along with other small amounts of Class B
- £1600 in cash seized
- one car seized
- weapons seized including a Samurai sword, baseball bats and knives.
**The fatal five offences are: speeding, drink and drug driving, using a phone whilst driving, not wearing a seatbelt, or careless and dangerous driving. Committing these offences greatly increases your risk of causing a serious collision.
DCI Megan Elkins has some availability for media interviews on Thursday 10 October. Please contact me (details below) if you wish to speak to her.
PCC Philip Wilkinson also has some availability for media interviews on Thursday 10 October. Please contact Amy Pantall: [email protected] if you wish to speak to him.
Regional stats (total of all five police forces):
- 117 arrests for drugs-related offences including possession, supply, trafficking, drug importation and drug driving
- 19 people charged with offences to date
- The seizure of nearly 400kg of suspected Class A drugs and cannabis, along with a large number of ecstasy pills
- Over £55,000 in cash seized suspected to be linked to drug crime
- 109 education and engagement events with local communities and schools
- At least 23 adults and children safeguarded after vulnerability checks
- 6 weapons seized.
A video of the regional work carried out during the Op Scorpion week is also attached if you wish to use it for your social media.
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