United against drug crime: South West police join forces to target drug criminality

Last week (30 Sept – 6 Oct), police services across the South West together with the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit joined forces in a coordinated effort to combat drug-related crime on our roads and in our communities.

The operation focused on disrupting drug markets, dismantling organised crime groups, and safeguarding our communities from the harm associated with drug crime, including serious violence and anti-social behaviour.  By sharing intelligence and resources, officers conducted targeted actions such as:

• Intelligence-led vehicle stops
• Search warrants at properties suspected of drug activity
• High-visibility patrols in areas known for drug crime
• Community engagement events to educate the public about the risks of drug-related crime

Across the week, results included:

• 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

Devon & Cornwall Police made 28 arrests with three people charged and two convicted of drug related crime. In addition 7.26 kilograms of Class A drugs, including over 5 kilograms of cocaine, were seized, along with 3000 doses of Ecstasy and 3.99 kilogram of cannabis.

Additionally £45,555 of criminal funds were recovered, six bank accounts handling profits from crime were frozen and 13 vehicles were impounded.

Chief Superintendent Sheon Sturland for Devon & Cornwall Police said: “As a result of these interventions and disruptions, Devon & Cornwall Police and our partner forces in Operation Scorpion have sent a message to criminals – the south west is no place for drugs.

“Much of the activity for Operation Scorpion 9 was based around intelligence received from the public and other sources which informed an extensive operation using ANPR at static locations across the region and installed in our vehicles.

“This means that we have a metaphorical ring of steel around the south west, there is nowhere criminals can go on our roads network without us knowing about it. We have denied the organised gangs the use of our roads, and we will continue to do so to end the misery that the dealing and use of drugs can cause to our communities.”

Assistant Chief Constable Jon Cummins of Avon and Somerset Police, who led this round of the operation, said: “Criminals exploit our region’s roads to traffic drugs, cash, weapons, and vulnerable people into our communities. They profit from the misery that drug crime brings, whilst our communities suffer for it. We won’t accept this.

“Last week, we jointly focused on creating a difficult environment for criminals to operate in.  Our roads policing units stopped vehicles believed to be involved in drug crime, which resulted in drugs, weapons and cash being recovered. Meanwhile our neighbourhood policing teams worked in communities, carrying out warrants where drugs activity was suspected and protecting people living in those areas from drugs-related issues.

“Information provided by the public was critical to the operation’s success and I want to thank everyone who has shared information with us. You know your community best. If you suspect illegal drug activity is happening, please report it directly to the police or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers, because your vigilance helps us protect you and those around you. Even a small piece of information could be the missing piece we need to disrupt an organised criminal network or safeguard a vulnerable person.”

The community can play a vital role in identifying potential drug-related activity and crime. Signs to look for include:

• an increase in visitors or vehicles at a residence 

• new, unfamiliar faces appearing frequently 

• changes in a resident’s behaviour—becoming secretive, withdrawn, or aggressive 

• young people with unexplained, expensive new items (clothes, phones, etc.) 

• residents or young people going missing for extended periods 

• young people seeming unfamiliar with your community or where they are 
• suspicious vehicles - criminals often use cars, vans, and other vehicles to traffic drugs, cash, weapons, and vulnerable people. If you notice a vehicle repeatedly coming and going at odd times, parked in unusual locations, or being driven suspiciously, take note of the make, model, colour, and registration number. Even a small detail could be the key to disrupting a criminal network. 

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody said: "I'm pleased to hear of the outcomes achieved in this recent operation disrupting criminals who exploit roads to transport illegal drugs and money through our region and the wider South West area.

“The success of Avon and Somerset Police in tackling drug-related crime often relies on information shared by the public. I’d like to thank everyone who came forward with vital information for this operation or has done so previously. While you may not always hear immediate updates on specific outcomes, please be assured that your contributions are essential in helping officers catch and charge those involved.

“Drug use leads to a range of issues, from the exploitation of people to anti-social behaviour issues, shoplifting and more. Prevention is key to creating lasting change. I’m grateful to the services I commission, which provide critical support to those struggling with addiction or at risk of engaging in drug activity, helping to prevent people from becoming involved."

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “I and my fellow commissioners have been working as a team across the South West because drugs came up as an issue that our communities in all our force areas wanted tackling. This approach means we’re not merely displacing the problem to a neighbouring force area.

“Operation Scorpion Nine  focussed on denying criminals use of the roads, with intelligence-led operations targeting vehicles which our forces know are involved in criminality. I am delighted that it has been such a success, would like to thank our communities who pass information anonymously to police, or anonymously to Crimestoppers – they are helping to maintain Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as one of the safest places to live in the country.”

Contact Devon & Cornwall Police: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/

Contact Crimestoppers, 100% anonymously: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or call 0800 555 111

Photos:

Our photos show a safe and that was recovered following the arrest of two men, both aged 34, for importation and supply of drugs offences near to Camelford.  The arrests were made following proactive address checks by Cornwall Neighbourhood Support Team and Drug Focus Desk Officers. 3.5 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of £280,000 and 3000 Ecstasy tablets to the value of £15,000 were seized, along with 1kg Kg of cannabis. The two men are remanded in custody facing criminal proceedings.

In the week leading up to OP Scorpion, Devon & Cornwall Police intercepted a large quantity of drugs (56Kg of cocaine) near Newquay which an organised crime group had attempted to import. Enquiries are ongoing.