Police target South West drug supply in co-ordinated action
70 arrests have been made across three weekends between November and December
Last updated 13th Dec 2022
Police all across the South West have made 70 arrests and seized more than £51,000 in cash as part of a co-ordinated operation targeting drug supply in the region.
Operation Scorpion is a collaboration between Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Police, as well as the British Transport Police, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and CrimeStoppers.
Officers say they took part in raids and other action over three weekends, from 18 November to 3 December, as part of "Phase Three" of the Operation.
Their action resulted in:
- 649 "drug disruptions"
- 70 arrests (and eight charges)
- 23 vulnerable people safeguarded
- £51,853 cash seized
- Around 3.5kg of Class B and 2.2kg of Class A drugs seized
Jim Colwell, Temporary Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police, representing the five forces said: “Throughout the operation we saw teams across the region targeting activity into a wide range of areas where drugs are known to be used and supplied into the evening and night-time economy.
“Drugs dogs were deployed to assist with searches of venues and property, Roads Policing teams disrupted the movement of drugs and those driving under the influence of drugs and proactive teams carried out drugs warrants, removing drugs which were intended for our local communities.
“Operation Scorpion is here to send a very clear message – the South West is no place for drugs."
All across the region police say they will continue to work together to pursue those working in the drug trade here.
T/CC Colwell continued: “Using information reported to police and CrimeStoppers, forces were able to build up a picture of what illegal activity was happening and use the intelligence to inform how and where we would target our operational activity.
“The information reported to us by the public is without a doubt a key part of this operation and I would urge anyone with information about suspected illegal activity in their community to report it and help us make the South West a hostile environment for drugs.”
Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Devon and Cornwall, spoke on behalf of all the region's PCC's.
“There’s a perception in our society that ‘party drugs’ like ecstasy and cocaine are normal and can be used without consequence.
"The reality is that young people are losing their lives to these substances with devastating consequences for their families and our communities, and those who buy drugs are supporting child exploitation, misery and violence in the supply network.
“Commissioners across our region wanted a show of policing strength here to demonstrate that we stand by those who say we will not tolerate this harm any longer.
"Help for those who want to get off drugs is available, but those who persist in dealing and taking drugs in our region will discover that the South West is no place for drugs.”
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.
Contact will remain 100% anonymous. Always.