More Than 100 Arrests Made in South West Drug Supply Operation

Published On: 3 December 2025Last Updated: 3 December 2025By CornishStuff

Operation Scorpion 13 has led to more than a hundred arrests across the South West, after a coordinated week of police activity targeting drug supply and child criminal exploitation.

The operation ran from 24th to 30th November 2025 and brought together the region’s five police forces along with their Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Regional Results

Across the South West, police officers seized cash, drugs and weapons while safeguarding vulnerable people identified during the week of activity. In total:

• 112 arrests
• £67,329 cash seized
• 52kg of cannabis confiscated, including 868 cannabis plants
• Three guns recovered, plus five imitation firearms
• 48 people safeguarded, including five children

A range of methods were used, including arrest and search warrants, vehicle stops and drones used to track suspected dealers. Vulnerable people were also identified from phones seized from suspects, with support messages sent directly to them.

Devon and Cornwall Figures

Devon and Cornwall Police reported:

• 27 arrests
• 21 people safeguarded, including one child
• £17,465 cash seized
• 308 cannabis plants confiscated
• Two guns seized, plus one imitation firearm
• Six other weapons seized

Ten people in Devon and Cornwall were identified as vulnerable and sent text messages offering support.

Focus on Child Criminal Exploitation

Last week’s activity placed particular attention on child criminal exploitation, where young people are groomed or pressured into carrying out crimes on behalf of criminal groups.

Officers visited schools to explain county lines and exploitation, including a talk to 400 pupils in Helston and a visit by the charity Escape Line to a school in Plymouth.

Police Cadets in Camborne delivered leaflets in areas affected by cuckooing, speaking to residents to raise awareness and encourage reporting. Cuckooing happens when vulnerable people are forced to store drugs or weapons in their homes.

The British Transport Police and Devon & Cornwall Police also carried out a joint operation at Plymouth Railway Station and on trains into south east Cornwall. This was designed to deter crime, reassure the public and detect vulnerable people being exploited.

A social media campaign ran across the region at the same time, with targeted TikTok and SnapChat adverts aimed at reaching young people online.

Police Statements

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thorne said the outcomes show the force’s focus on reducing drug related harm. He said: “Operations like this send a clear message that we will continue to target those who choose to profit from causing harm in our communities.

“The outcomes reflect the support of the public who play an important role in helping us identify and disrupt criminal activity, and the hard work and dedication of our staff. I encourage anyone with information to contact Devon & Cornwall Police or do it anonymously through Crimestoppers.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “Our communities are fed up with witnessing drug dealing and drug abuse in their communities. The amount of cash, kilograms of drugs and numbers of weapons seized by police during this Operation Scorpion tell only part of the story of the continuing efforts to remove the scourge of drugs from our communities. The harm from drugs is not limited to the immediate physical and mental harm it brings to addicts and anti-social behaviour associated with drug use, there is also the violence, coercion and exploitation of children and adults who are caught up in the criminal distribution of these illegal substances.

“The public play a huge part in protecting our young people and making sure the south west is no place for drugs, so if you suspect or know of drug activity, please let the police know or report it anonymously through Crimestoppers. Every report is valuable.”