A clear message that there is no place for drugs in the South West has been successfully reiterated as part of a collaborative policing crackdown that has resulted in the seizure of large quantities of drugs and cash, firearms seizures and multiple arrests.
Operation Scorpion saw a week of heightened activity take place from June 23 to 29 to eradicate drug dealing and protect those who are being exploited. The 12th iteration of the campaign saw the five South West police forces and Police Crime Commissioners join together to reduce harm caused by drugs.
Run in conjunction with National County Lines Intensification Week, the focus was on taking action against those who exploit children, help drug dealers or choose to look the other way. Research shows that across the region more local children and vulnerable people in our communities are being exploited to supply and store drugs.
In Devon and Cornwall there were:
- 41 arrests
- £57,466 cash seized
- 85g crack, 194.4g heroin, 64kg cocaine, 11.6kg cannabis resin, 0.5kg ketamine seized
- 15 people safeguarded
- 3 weapons seized including hunting knives. Also 8 firearms including stun gun and pepper spray
In total across the South West region:
- 106 people were arrested
- 65.7kg of cocaine was seized, plus 274g of crack cocaine,13.9kg of cannabis and 455grams of heroin
- £119,326 in cash was seized
- 38 people were safeguarded
- 29 suspected county lines were shut down
- 17 vehicles were seized, including six e-bikes
- 100 mobile phones were seized
- 26 weapons were seized
During the week of activity, Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, joined neighbourhood officers from Devon & Cornwall Police, and undercover officers from British Transport Police for a joint day of action at Torquay Railway Station.
The focus was on identifying anyone bringing drugs into the region via public transport and any suspicious activity at the station with the assistance of police sniffer dogs. It also provided the public with a reassuring policing presence.
The Commissioner said: “The unequivocal message to drug dealers and others engaged in illegal drug activity that the South West is no place for drugs.
“Operation Scorpion demonstrates very clearly the unstinting enforcement work that goes on to close down county lines and to disrupt other drug related crime. This helps us to protect those who are being exploited and to relieve the misery that people tell me they are suffering due to drug dealing and drug abuse.
“I’d also like to thank the public who have come forward with information which is invaluable to helping the police focus their resources where it’s needed. We particularly urge the public to let us know if they spot the signs that a young person might be exploited, perhaps into carrying drugs. Please look closer and if you have intelligence around suspected drug activity in your community, or you think someone is being exploited, please report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.”
During Operation Scorpion week, as part of efforts to educate and inform key industries that may be unknowingly enabling drug supply networks to conduct their operations and exploit vulnerable people, officers also worked with hotels, taxi and private hire companies and postal operators to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation and encourage them to report any concerns.
Work was also carried out with young people and schools to educate them around the risks associated with illegal vapes. Not only do they pose serious health risks, it is believed criminals are recruiting young people to sell these illegal products, opening them up to potential further exploitation.
Jim Colwell, Deputy Chief Constable Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Our goals during Operation Scorpion 12 were to protect young and vulnerable people from the dual harms of illegal drugs activity. Illegal drugs can do great physical and psychological harm, and the criminal gangs associated with their supply have no qualms about who they exploit, coerce, threaten and harm to enable their activities.”
He continued: “Devon & Cornwall Police has had a very successful Operation Scorpion and crackdown on county lines, and I’d like to thank all of our officers and staff, and our partners British Transport Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, for their huge efforts last week. They will continue this work day in day out, all year round, in order to make the south west no place for drugs and to safeguard people from the effects of drug related crime.”
If you suspect illegal drug activity is happening where you live, call 101 or report online at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk . If anyone is in immediate danger call 999.
If you wish to remain completely anonymous you can use Crimestoppers, an independent charity, by reporting online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or by calling 0800 555 111.
The Children’s Society is running a campaign called LookCloser which encourages everyone to learn the signs of child exploitation and how to report it if worried. For more details visit #LookCloser To Spot Exploitation | The Children’s Society