Cuckoo gang raids lead to Swindon arrests and seizure of drugs, cash and weapons

By Jamie Hill - 17 October 2018

Crime

Police action to disrupt drug gang activity in Wiltshire known as county lines has lead to a number of arrests.

With full results still to be collated, the week-long period of intensive law enforcement activity has so far delivered:

- Four males arrested in Swindon.
- 64 wraps of crack cocaine recovered
- Three weapons seized
- £1,000 seized 
 - At least 70 addresses identified which have vulnerable occupants (also known as cuckooing addresses)

Following intelligence built up by Wiltshire Police's Dedicated Crime Team to target offenders the following arrests were made: 

1. 24-year-old Swindon man was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of 50 wraps of class A drugs.  He has been released under investigation. 
2. 23-year-old Nevo Aguira who's from London but linked to Swindon was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of class A drugs and subsequently charged and remanded in custody. 
3. 17-year-old male from Swindon was arrested and charged with the possession of offensive weapons - two knuckle dusters and a baton. He has been released on unconditional bail. 
4. 17-year-old male from Swindon was arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent to supply class A drugs and the possession of cannabis.  He has been released on conditional bail. 
Also, the operations found a number of young and vulnerable people at risk of being exploited by drugs gangs.  These are now being safeguarded through on-going multi-agency work.  
Head of Crime Prevention for Wiltshire Police Sonja Leith said: “County lines is everyone’s responsibility and I would urge members of the public to be vigilant and look out for some of the most visible signs that county lines drugs gangs are operating in neighbourhoods and to report this to police.
“Together with our partner agencies across Swindon and Wiltshire, we work hard to identify where county lines are exploiting vulnerable children and adults, to proactively disrupt these networks and to safeguard and protect those at risk of harm. The intelligence we receive from our communities is crucial in helping us, our partner agencies and neighbouring forces tackle county lines. 
“By raising awareness of the issue, I hope more people will be able to spot the signs and feel comfortable in reporting information to the police. Your call could save lives."
The work of the Wiltshire teams follows a week of national action overseen by the new National County Lines Coordination Centre, which is led jointly by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), where the following was achieved:  

- More than 200 arrests
- 58 vulnerable people identified and safeguarded, including a number of children
- The seizure of deadly weapons including: hunting knives, a firearm with ammunition, an axe, a meat cleaver and a samurai sword
- The seizure of tens of thousands of pounds of suspected criminal cash
- Significant quantities of heroin, crack cocaine and other illegal drugs seized

Sue Southern, NCA Deputy Director for Commodities and national county lines lead, said:
“Tackling county lines and its consequences is a national law enforcement priority. Supply gangs are responsible for high levels of violence and the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable adults and children, and every territorial police force in England and Wales has now reported some level of county lines activity.
“There are currently hundreds of live county lines investigations across the UK, and this period of intensification highlights the range of coordinated activity taking place to identify perpetrators, reduce violence, take away the proceeds of crime and safeguard the vulnerable.
“While these operations will have substantially disrupted numerous county lines, our work is ongoing and we are pursuing all available means of strengthening the national response to county lines.
“This requires collaboration across multiple sectors, ranging from law enforcement to safeguarding organisations and the private sector industries used by criminals to transport and store people and drugs.  Through the National County Lines Coordination Centre we are working to enhance those partnerships.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Duncan Ball, NPCC lead for gangs and county lines, said: “Last week’s operational intensification will be the first of many coordinated efforts by the newly-established National County Lines Coordination Centre, which is already strengthening our ability to effectively tackle county lines networks.
“Our primary aim in dismantling these networks is protecting the young and vulnerable people who are exploited by gangs and are subject to violence, fear and intimidation.
“This week’s intensification has protected 58 people from that violence, as well as removing a significant amount of drugs from the supply chain and disrupting gangs who profit from spreading fear and suffering throughout the UK.
“Our partnership with the NCA, through the National County Lines Coordination Centre, ensures that all affected forces are able to share best practice and improve our collective response to the scourge of county lines offending.”

Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “Those who travel from large metropolitan cities and target vulnerable people in Wiltshire are mistaken if they think they can get away with it. 
“Alongside our partners, Wiltshire Police will continue to reduce harm and prevent crime caused by substance misuse. 
“Drugs is not a victim-less crime. The impact it can have on individuals and communities can be devastating. Vulnerable people are being threatened and exploited, often in their own homes.
“But we can’t tackle this alone, I would urge the residents of Wiltshire and Swindon to help us combat drug supply –the police often rely on information from the public to build up an intelligence picture. Please continue to help by reporting any information to 101.”

Ben Judd, Senior Operations Manager at Turning Point said: “Our Swindon and Wiltshire service, IMPACT, provides support, information and treatment to anyone with drug and/or alcohol problems.  We have been working closely with Wiltshire Police and other local partners to ensure that any victims of the county lines that may have a substance misuse problem are aware of the support that is available to them and fast tracked into treatment if needed.

“If you are worried about your or someone else’s drug or alcohol use, call us on one of these numbers below:



Swindon Hub: 01793 328150

Trowbridge Hub: 01225 341520

Salisbury Hub: 01722 343000.”

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