Tough-on-crime crackdown sees more arrests and cash, drugs and guns seized in the South West

More than 60 arrests have been made across the South West and more than £150,000 worth of drugs seized in a week-long series of police raids, it can now be revealed.

Huge quantities of crack cocaine, cannabis and heroin; weapons, including a number of firearms, a samurai sword, machete and knives, were also recovered in the latest phase of Operation Scorpion, an initiative involving the five South West police forces.

Recently published figures show that in the region there were:

• 64 arrests
• Drugs worth £152,173 seized
• £198,088 cash seized
• 29 weapons were confiscated
• 28 vulnerable people protected
• In addition to a quantity of clothing, high-value motorcycles and cars were also taken

During the seven days of operations from 10-16 June, police teams across the South West targeted gangs and addresses of suspected drug dealers and suppliers; stepped up patrols in known hotspots and used technology to disrupt so-called county line activity.

South West regional drug enforcement weeks, such as Operation Scorpion, are a collaboration between the five police forces in the South West region – Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The region’s five Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), British Transport Police, the South West Regional Organized Crime Unit and the independent charity Crimestoppers are also combining their resources to tackle the region’s drug supply and makes the South West a hostile environment for those to traffic drugs and engage in anti-social drug-using activities.

The scale of Operation Scorpion 8 in Devon and Cornwall is reflected in the results:

• 15 people were arrested, 5 of whom were charged with various crimes
• 25 people were protected, 17 adults and 8 children
• Also seized were vapes worth £170 containing THC.

The biggest seizure was of £9,360 worth of cocaine in Cornwall. Another Class A seizure was of £3,500 worth of heroin. Around £7,000 worth of cannabis was also seized and more than £11,000 worth of cash was also seized. Additional packages of class A and B drugs and a grow of cannabis were also intercepted to the value of £20,000.

Assistant Chief Constable Jim Pearce said: “Devon and Cornwall Police are committed to working with our partners and other forces in the region to stop the flow of drugs into our counties and disrupt associated criminal activity, during intensive operations such as Op Scorpion all. throughout the year.

“Across Devon and Cornwall, Operation Scorpion 8 denied gangs and individuals drugs, weapons and cash worth around £40,220, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

“We also want to bring help to communities affected by anti-social behaviour, crime and the fear that accompanies drug misuse and protect vulnerable people. The results of Operation Scorpion 8 show that we are achieving this, and I cannot stress how important the intelligence we receive from the public is to help us target our resources.”

Proactive work has included warrants lodged in Devonport, Plymouth following reports of anti-social behavior blighting the lives of local residents, which you can read about here: Police are taking action to end the drug scourge of residents

Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “Every effort by the police is yet another drug dealer or drug supply disrupted. Our communities are tired of drug dealers exploiting our children and those adults who cannot fend for themselves. I will continue to prioritize drugs in this term and support the police in any way I can to keep the momentum going.”

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in Devon and Cornwall should report it to the Devon and Cornwall Police online service online here www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/intelligence or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger.

Your information will be treated confidentially, but for those of you who prefer to report anonymously, please do so through Crimestoppers. You can call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 555 111 or use the untraceable online form here https://crimestoppers-uk.org/