Police launch major drugs and weapons crackdown

Huge quantities of drugs and weapons have been recovered in the latest phase of Operation Scorpion an initiative involving the South West’s five police forces.

Figures just released show that across the region there were:

• 64 arrests
• £152,173 worth of drugs seized
• £198,088 cash seized
• 29 weapons were seized
• 28 vulnerable people safeguarded
• As well as a quantity of clothing, motorbikes and high value cars were also seized.

The drugs included huge quantities of crack cocaine, cannabis and heroin and among the weapons were a number of firearms, a Samurai sword, a machete and knives.

During the seven days of operations from June 10-16, police teams across the south west targeted gangs and addresses of suspected drugs dealers and suppliers; stepped-up patrols of known hotspots and used technology to disrupt so-called county-lines activities.

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

• 15 people were arrested, of which five have been charged with various offences
• 25 people have been safeguarded, 17 adults and eight children
• £170 worth of vapes containing THC have also been seized.

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

“In Devon and Cornwall, Operation Scorpion 8 has denied approximately £40,220 worth of drugs, weapons and cash to criminal gangs and individuals, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

“We also want to bring relief to communities blighted by the antisocial behaviour, crime and fear which accompanies the misuse of drugs, and to safeguard vulnerable people. The results of Operation Scorpion 8 show we are achieving this, and I cannot overemphasise how important the intelligence we receive from the public is in helping us to target our resources.”

Proactive activity included warrants served in Devonport, Plymouth, following reports of anti-social behaviour blighting the lives of local residents which you can read about here: Police take action to end residents drugs misery

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “Every effort taken by the police is one more drug dealer or drug supply disrupted. Our communities are sick of drug dealers exploiting our children and those adults who can’t fend for themselves. I will continue prioritising drugs in this term of office and support the police in every way I can to keep up the momentum.”