Warning to children following major drugs sting from Cornwall to Gloucestershire
Police are urging youngsters not to get caught up in drugs gangs
Last updated 22nd Mar 2022
Young people across the South West are being urged not to get caught up in drugs gangs.
We are focussing on the issue, after police across the region carried out a series of raids on properties thought to be bases for dealing.
The week-long Operation Scorpion involved forces from Cornwall to Gloucestershire.
In Devon and Cornwall, the first planned and co-ordinated activity took place from the week beginning 7th March.
Scorpion resulted in 20 arrests, the seizure of £35,600 worth of heroin, £205,040 of cannabis, £16,000 of cocaine and thousands of pounds in cash.
Officers also seized three vehicles, high value items of clothing and handbags and disrupted 21 drugs supply lines.
Safeguarding visits were also carried out with 21 people, which included adults and children.
Stacey Litster helps teach children about the dangers through an anti-drugs bust that visits schools.
She used to be an addict and said: "People will come on to there - young people, families and staff who work with young people - and they will come in and be immersed within the topics of substance misuse, County Lines and offending.
"We like to help people be more aware of themselves and why they make the choices that they do and to focus on building their resilience from self-awareness.
"If I was more aware of how I was feeling and the way I was thinking, then I think I would've been in better control of the choices I was making but I didn't understand what was happening for me.
"You have to be responsible for the choices that you make but make sure that you educate yourself and you give yourself the best chances, really, to make the best choices that you can".
Our Senior Reporter, James Diamond, met Stacey when he went out on one of the raids with Avon and Somerset Police...
Read more: Almost 200 arrests made during major drugs' sting across the South West