Drugs and cash seized in latest crack-down on criminal gangs

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 30th September to Friday 4th 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."    

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.