Seven arrests during Ketamine crackdown in Cumbria

Seven people have been arrested and drugs, including ketamine, seized following a series of dawn raids at properties across Cumbria.

Police targeted eight locations in Carlisle, Whitehaven, Penrith, and Kendal in an operation aiming to disrupt the sale of ketamine.

Concerns have been raised over the impacts of the drug, which can cause serious kidney and bladder damage, incontinence, and harm mental health. Police have identified young people as being among those at risk.

The raids, part of Operation Abraham, were carried out early in the morning while suspects were unaware. Officers smashed or cut open doors to enter properties and conducted searches.

Detective Inspector Dave Howard, who led the operation, said: "Our action should send a message out to those dealing drugs that we are working all the time to stop them and to protect those that their illegal trade harms.

"The commissioner’s funding allowed us to take targeted action across our county to address this emerging problem."

Drugs seized in the operation included ketamine, cocaine, cannabis, MDMA, and suspected illicit pharmaceuticals. Officers also recovered cash, a TAG Heuer watch, and an e-bike valued at £4,000.

Arrests were made for offences ranging from possession of drugs with intent to supply to driving-related crimes, with additional suspected offences uncovered during the searches. Most of those arrested were released under investigation while enquiries continue, and one person received an out-of-court disposal.

Collaborative action targeting communities and schools

Beyond enforcement, Operation Abraham involved preventative measures such as distributing leaflets requesting intelligence and educating students on the risks of drug use. Police reached nearly 400 students in schools during the week leading up to the raids.

Detective Inspector Howard emphasized the importance of education in combating drug harm: "Using ketamine can seriously harm your health – and people, especially young people and teenagers, may be using it without understanding the consequences.

"Cumbria Police are working all the time to stop the harm that drugs cause in our communities – but we can’t do this without the information provided by you."

The operation was funded by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner using money recovered from previous drug enforcement activities.

David Allen, the Commissioner, said: "Drugs can devastate communities, so I’m pleased to fund days of action that tackle drug dealing.

"The message is very clear: Cumbria is not a soft touch - if you are going to bring drugs into our communities, we are going to stop you, and you will face consequences.

"Let’s work together to protect Cumbria."

Jack's story

Jack, from Cumbria, starting taking Ketamine at the age of 15, he's now 21 and 10 months clean.

He's been sharing his story to warn others of the dangers of the drug.

He said: "It was introduced to me at a party. I wanted more, I started taking it every day, and it became part of my routine.

"It progressed, like the amounts progressed and I thought it was great because obviously it gives you that pause mentally and I was young, I thought it was acceptable, but very quickly, I started to realise it the effects that it had on me, both mentally and physically.

"Mentally, I's forget stuff, I disassociate, I wasn't myself and I started to lose myself, my joy about life, getting very depressed and very angry person. Along the line, physically, it started off with cramps and then bladder pain and then urinating blood, and being bed bound for weeks and passing out from sweating.

"It was scary, but Ketamine sort becomes the painkiller.

"It doesn't act as that fun drug anymore. It quickly becomes a vice in order to just live, because it's the only thing that takes away that pain, both mentally and physically.

"It became this sadistic, long cycle of taking it, getting pain, taking more, just to ease the pain and then having to take more because depence builds up and it was just a very bleak existence, that's the only thing I can say.

"By the time I was 19, you know, the hospital admissions had become every week. The dependency was there, and I could not live life at all.

"I had to do something about it. I had to. I knew that I needed somewhere, but I didn't want to accept that I did. I thought it was too young for recovery or a rehab or anything of the sort.

"I found myself in treatment centre and I'm so glad I did.

"I remember on the way to the treatment centre, I was giving myself two weeks to be there, because I didn't think I had to be. But working through it, and learning that there's the possibility of living life without having to use ketamine, it was very attractive to me.

"I put my all into it and I've finished my treatment now and I'm ten months clean. If I could say anything to anyone, It's that recovery is possible, no matter where you're at, no matter how young you are, old you are, what drug you are on.

"It's really possible and it's so much better than than a sadistic cycle being in pain and not being in pain and losing your bladder or keeping your bladder. I can't stress that enough."

H2 Support available to those affected by drug use

Support for individuals impacted by drug use is available through services such as Recovery Steps Cumbria, which can be contacted on 01900 512300 to access assistance across the region.

H2 How to report drug-related concerns

Anyone with information about ketamine or other drug activity can report it online or by calling 101. Alternatively, Crimestoppers is contactable anonymously on 0800 555 111.