92 Arrested in Major South West Drugs Crackdown

Almost a hundred people were arrested across the South West last week as police forces joined together to tackle illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation.

The coordinated activity formed part of Operation Scorpion, which brings together the five South West police forces: Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The operation also involves the Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, British Transport Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

The week of activity coincided with a national intensification effort targeting county lines drug networks.

Across the region, officers carried out warrants, vehicle stops and patrols aimed at disrupting organised crime groups and safeguarding vulnerable people.

Arrests, Drugs and Weapons Seized

Across the South West during the week of action:

• 92 people were arrested

• 59 vulnerable people were safeguarded

• £54,915 in cash was seized

• More than £446,000 worth of drugs were seized

• 29 weapons were recovered, including a knuckleduster, two batons and six imitation firearms

Police said the operation focused not only on arresting suspected drug dealers but also identifying people at risk of exploitation.

Vulnerable individuals were identified through phone numbers found on seized devices and were given information about support services.

National Week of Action

Nationally, the campaign against county lines drug activity saw more than 2,100 arrests, 1,348 people safeguarded and 335 county lines closed. More than 600 weapons were also seized across the country.

During the week, Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP joined officers on a warrant in Trowbridge on Wednesday 4th March to see how South West forces are tackling county lines activity.

Activity in Devon and Cornwall

In Devon and Cornwall, the week of action led to:

• 17 people safeguarded, including three under 18s

• 17 arrests

• Visits to 14 cuckooed addresses, where criminals take over someone’s home to use it as a base for crime

• 1.5g of crack seized

• 0.15g of heroin seized

• 2,239.8g of cocaine seized

• 50g of cannabis resin seized

• £12,013 in cash seized

• Seven weapons recovered, including four air weapons, a knuckleduster and a telescopic baton

Officers and the Youth Engagement Team also visited nine schools across Cornwall to deliver awareness sessions about county lines and exploitation, working alongside Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Local police teams also carried out high visibility patrols and engaged with the public in areas known for drug activity in Plymouth, Exeter and Camborne.

Raising Awareness of Exploitation

An awareness campaign ran across social media during the week, with targeted adverts on TikTok and Snapchat aimed at reaching young people online.

Detective Chief Superintendent Sheon Sturland said:

“Keeping communities in Devon and Cornwall safe by seizing harmful drugs, targeting suppliers, and disrupting county lines networks is our clear mission.

“Protecting vulnerable people exploited by criminals, especially children and young adults, remains at the heart of our work. If children go missing it’s a key indicator of child criminal exploitation, and the risk to them increases.

“We see the harm that drug related criminality brings to our communities, and so this work doesn’t end with one week of action. We will continue to take a robust, proactive approach to disrupting drug supply and tackling associated anti-social behaviour and exploitation.

“Devon and Cornwall and the wider South West is no place for drugs. You can help us and our partner agencies by reporting any suspicions or concerns.”

Call for the Public to Report Concerns

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez thanked members of the public who report suspected drug crime.

Alison Hernandez said:

“I would like to thank members of the public who continue to report drug crime either via the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. We don’t tolerate drugs in our region.

“Alongside the efforts of the police to disrupt organised criminal groups we also need to tackle the root causes of drug use. That’s why I am such an advocate of organisations that work to deliver effective treatment for those battling drug addiction and protect young people from exploitation. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with drug abuse, or knows someone who is, to reach out for support.”

Police say signs that a child may be being exploited can include frequently going missing from home or school, unexplained money or expensive items, carrying multiple phones, relationships with older people or travelling alone at unusual times.

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity or concerns about a vulnerable child or adult can report it online via the Devon & Cornwall Police website or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or through its secure form on the Crimestoppers website.