A drug's raid on an address in Pinehurst this morning (28/11) resulted in thousands of pounds of cash, drugs and weapons being recovered by officers.
Officers from the Community Tasking Team, Community Policing Team, PCSOs and Specials along with the housing team from Swindon Borough Council were involved in the execution of the warrant on an address on Beech Avenue.
Items found were: up to £10,000 in cash, cannabis worth approximately £3,000, weapons including: pistols, a rifle, machetes and knives and nine push bikes, five motorbikes and two quad bikes.
Three local people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs and money laundering; an 18-year-old man, a 21-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman are currently in custody.
Officer in charge of the operation, Det Sgt Alex Spargo said: "This was a very successful operation allowing us to recover a massive cache of weapons, money, drugs and stolen goods.
"Thanks to local intelligence we have been able to target these premises and take out of circulation a large amount of drugs and dangerous weapons which are often linked to drug dealing.
"I want to thank the local people who have been supportive of our work in Pinehurst, not only for helping with the information which lead to this warrant but the feedback we have been given since this morning's activities.
"Although this warrant has recovered an unusually large haul, I want the public to know that this is business as usual for officers in our Community Policing Teams; helping to safeguard the vulnerable, protect the public and disrupt criminals and their illegal activities.
“Please be assured that we will act on any intelligence we receive. Anyone with information about drug activity, should call police on 101; if you wish to report it anonymously, you can do so via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Swindon Borough Policing Commander Superintendent Adrian Burt said: "This is just the start of our intensive, on-going work in Pinehurst.
"We will be absolutely relentless in dealing with these issues which have blighted the lives of many generations of decent, honest, hardworking people in this area.
"For years, it's been the case of the small minority spoiling it for the majority in Pinehurst - and that is going to stop.
"We have been working and will continue to work alongside our partners including: Swindon Borough Council's Housing Department, HMRC and the Department for Works and Pensions to crack down on the criminal fraternity operating in our town.
"My message for anyone committing crime or causing issues in this area or any part of Swindon is: 'stop it or deal with us and the consequences.' "
Cllr Cathy Martyn, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, said: “This successful operation was the result of a close working relationship between the Council and Wiltshire Police, and we are pleased that the incidents of anti-social behaviour which took place at the property have been dealt with.
“We will now look to take appropriate action against the tenant and we hope that everyone in the community will take note that this kind of disruptive and distressing activity will not be tolerated. We cannot allow a small minority of people to ruin the quality of life for everyone else in our communities.”
Parish Chairman Cllr Des Moffatt said: "Pinehurst is a good area full of generations of good people. There are only a few ne'er-do-wells, the same bad lot, who bring the community down and contaminate the area. They've been doing it for years, it's frustrating but the police's work in to these crimes and anti-social behaviour is helping a lot."
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