Forty arrests made in Wiltshire during drugs crackdown
It took place last week
Last updated 15th Jul 2022
The second phase of a drugs crackdown in Wiltshire has seen 40 arrests made, 16 charges given out and two convictions.
Operation Scorpion was looking to disrupt the drugs market and supply networks and how the public could help police forces.
During the second week of action, in Wiltshire there were:
• 76 drug line disruptions
• 40 arrests, 16 charges and two convictions
• 17 children and adults safeguarded
• £13,105 cash seized
This was a collaborative project, with all five forces across the South West taking part.
In total, 127 people were arrested, more than £810,000 of cash and drugs seized and 237 vulnerable children and adults safeguarded.
Speaking on behalf of the five regional police forces, Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said:
“Protecting our communities is fundamental to our policing approach in the South West and this operation firmly puts the people we serve at the heart of it.
“Operation Scorpion is about combining the resources, intelligence and enforcement powers of all the police forces across the South West to create the most hostile environment we can for those intent on peddling their illegal drugs in our region.
“Central to helping us achieve this is engaging with our local communities to ensure they know the signs to spot, what information to report to us and how.
“We know that those who supply and distribute illegal drugs operate in a borderless way, creating complex networks of drugs lines in our towns and cities, and we need to mirror that if we are going to be successful in taking a strong and robust stance against this sort of criminality.”
During the first phase of the operation, which was held in March, nearly 200 people were arrested and around £530,000 in cash and drugs seized across the South West.
Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity should report it to their local police service online or via 101.
Always call 999 in an emergency.
To pass on information anonymously, speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or use their non-traceable online form.
They will never ask for a name or contact details and the phone call or online report will never be trace and if the information supplied leads to an arrest and charge, there could be a cash reward of up to £1,000.