Dorset Police arrest three suspected drug dealers during Bridport raid
A “substantial amount” of drugs were also found in the property
Three people have been arrested after police officers carried out a drugs raid at a home in Bridport.
More than 15 officers barged through the door, cleared the property and cuffed a man in his 20s in what Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner called a “successful search”.
PCC David Sidwick told us: “This is what the people of Dorset want to see. They want to see action taken against those who supply drugs and the harm that drugs do in our community.
“Nobody should be living in fear with this happening in their community, if people see drug activity in their neighbourhood, they need to give that intelligence to Dorset Police and we will act on that.”
The drugs raid was part of a major crackdown on suspected large-scale cannabis cultivation and other drug supply networks across the South West.
In Bridport, the Force uncovered ‘substantial amounts’ of cocaine, cannabis, cash, a knife, a knuckle duster and other items.
Overall, Operation Scorpion saw more than 30 warrants executed across the region and 36 people arrested.
PCC Sidwick said: “You need three things in order to address the drug issue: you need tough enforcement, making certain that we address those who are causing harm in our community,
“You also need treatment for those who are addicted and above all you need prevention. We need to say to our young people, this is not a good idea and here are the reasons why.”
During the week of action, there was intensification effort targeting suspected organised crime groups involved in large scale cannabis production.
In Dorset, 12 people in total were arrested and an estimated 1.5kg of suspected cannabis was seized as well as 400 grams of suspected cocaine and 600 grams of suspected ketamine.
PCC Sidwick called on the government to help address the issue: “We're not putting enough emphasis on what I call the illegal gateway drugs.
“We're not doing enough about cannabis, we're not doing enough about ketamine, we're not doing enough about MDMA and we need to do more.
“The single drug which is highest for young people in treatment is cannabis. It is not harmless.”
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, added: “We remain committed to taking positive action in response to concerns from our communities.
“By working with our regional partners, it gives us the best chance of disrupting suspected criminal networks and has resulted in a number of people believed to be involved in the supply chain arrested.”
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