Officers conducting warrants on Wednesday morning (5 March) in Barrow secured seven arrests across multiple addresses as part of an operation to disrupt, prevent and target drug supply in the Barrow area.
The work carried out on Wednesday is part of a wider operation, Operation Abingdon, and saw officers from Barrow’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, Operational Support, Dogs Section, the Community Serious Organised Crime Unit and Force Intelligence Units, conduct five misuse of drugs act warrants in addresses across Barrow.
As a result of the searches carried out quantities of Class A and Class B drugs were recovered as well as and cash, Class C illicit pharmaceutical drugs, mobile phones and a number of weapons.
In total, seven people were arrested on suspicion of various offences including drug supply, drug production and drug possession.
During one warrant on Cook Street in Barrow, 81 plants were seized after officers discovered a cannabis farm at the address. Two men were arrested and subsequently charged.
Mustafa Gjoni, 23, of Library Street, Preston and Ervin Gjoni, aged 32, of Cook Street, Barrow pleaded guilty to producing a Class B Drug on 6 March at Barrow Magistrates Court. Mustafa Gjoni was sentenced to 12 months in prison and Ervin Gjoni was sentenced to 8 months in prison.
Other results from the day included:
- 190 community appeal leaflets distributed – these leaflets are circulated in the areas where warrants were conducted to gather further information on drug supply activity
- At least six drugs wipes conducted
- Two XL bully dogs seized
- Three safeguarding referrals made
Funds to target drug supply in this operation were provided by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen as part of the Drugs Fund.
The work in Hindpool also forms part of the ‘Clear’ phase of the ongoing ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ initiative there which sees police and partners working together to target criminals and rejuvenate the area.
Detective Inspector Mike Kirkham said: “Wednesday’s activity as part of Operation Abingdon was designed to disrupt criminality in the area and prevent future offending and issues that can arise from the supply of drugs including ASB, drug use and exploitation of young people in the community.
“This work doesn’t stop here, and future activity will be planned to crack down on drug supply activity with our communities here in Barrow as well as further work with partners as part of ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ to reduce and prevent further crimes.
“We will not tolerate drug dealing in our neighbourhoods and I would urge anyone who has and information around suspected activity to get in touch with us.
“We rely on local intelligence and will always listen and act upon information and use it to help assist us in our ongoing investigations into drug supply.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Drugs and drug supply devastates communities – not just the individuals buying and consuming the illegal substances.
“The funding from my office will target those in Cumbria who are dealing drugs and take them off of our streets – making them safer and more welcoming.
“Drug supply will never be tolerated here in Cumbria and the message is clear to anyone looking to supply in the county: you will be caught and face the consequences.
“Cumbria Constabulary will continue to tackle the drugs supply in Cumbria, but we need your help to protect the county. If you spot something suspicious, please report it to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
Report information to police via 101 or online via www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it.
Alternatively, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.