PCC is clear there’s no place for drugs as weekend raids lead to several arrests

Thousands of pounds in cash and class A drugs were seized from four locations across Wiltshire as part of Operation Scorpion, a national campaign led by the south west regions’ Police and Crime Commissioners.

The PCCs, with their respective Chief Constables, their Forces would combine operational powers to tackle cross-border drugs supply, drug-related crime and associated anti-social behaviour.

Over the weekend, four drug warrants were executed in Chippenham, Trowbridge, Devizes and Swindon, where teams of officers relied on intelligence provided by the local community to crack down on drug dealers and help keep Wiltshire a hostile place for drugs.

Five arrests were made, while officers also seized £2,000 in cash and Class A drugs with a street value of approximately £4,000.

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Wiltshire, and the south west, is simply no place for drugs – with co-ordinated drug line disruptions and police activity over the weekend, dealers and recreational drug users should be getting the message loud and clear.

“Taking drugs at the weekend – or on a night out - isn’t harmless fun and that is why the night-time economy was a focus for Operation Scorpion this time around, combined with targeted disruptions.

“People need to be aware of the serious consequences taking illegal, gateway, drugs like cannabis and cocaine can have on their long-term health, their employment prospects and the relationships they have with their families, friends and partners.

“Wiltshire Police also targeted drug dealers who, while they may be considered to be at the less influential end of the supply chain, need to be apprehended to ensure the endless misery drug supply in our local communities brings.

“My office and our partner agencies are working together to get these dealers off the streets and point them in a direction where they make a better contribution to our society – this contributes to making Wiltshire a safer place to live and work.”

Wiltshire Police officers were also out on patrols and visiting pubs and clubs in Swindon on Friday and Saturday night, targeting the night time economy and educating the public on the impact of taking drugs.

Det Insp Darren Ambrose said: “This was a successful weekend targeting the drug supply networks across Wiltshire, and the operation means a large quantity of cash and class A drugs has been taken out of the market.

“I’d like to thank our local communities for the vital role they play in providing intelligence and information to us, as without it warrants like these would be much more difficult.

“Drugs have an incredibly harmful effect in communities and ruin lives, both for the users and the people around them, and they have a knock-on effect of associated violence, robbery, and anti-social behaviour.

“As well as disrupting drug supply networks, Operation Scorpion is also about educating the public on the impact using drugs can have on your personal life and what you stand to lose, such as your relationships, job, home, and reputation.

“The operation shows that we will stop at nothing to make Wiltshire and the South West free from drugs.”

Published Wednesday 30 November 2022