Four policing operations targeting drug supply in Cumbria has seen 26 arrests, seized over half a million in cash and thousands of pounds of drugs taken off the streets.
The operations, Apache in Penrith, Abington in Barrow, Bologna in west Cumbria, Huelva in Carlisle were funded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen as part of the Drugs Fund. The fund takes money recovered from drug activities to target further those dealing and supply drugs.
The four days of action seen officers conduct 18 warrants and 15 stop searches, recovering:
- £612,300 in cash
- 81 cannabis plants
- Over 2,000 cannabis edibles and vapes
- Over 200 Pregabalin
- Numerous recoveries of cocaine, cannabis (herbal), Ketamine and other benzodiazepine
- Numerous weapons including samurai sword, knives and air rifles.
- Illicit Tobacco and cigarettes
- Cryptocurrency and associated paraphernalia.
Over 20 vehicles stopped with a number of Traffic Offence Reports issued for traffic offences and drug wipes conducted.
Officers also engaged with businesses and the public within the nighttime economy, with 21 pubs visited with the drug scanning dog, PD Drake and his handler PC Mann. Officers received positive feedback from premises on the activity help to prevent drug use. officers also gave patrols anti-spiking bottle tops and panic alarms.
A number of schools were also visited by officers so they could speak to students about the dangers of drugs and what to look out for and protect themselves from county line drug dealers.
Ten safeguarding referrals were made by officers.
The operations form part of Operation Alliance - The Constabulary’s wider ongoing response to protect the county against serious and organised crime.
Detective Superintendent Ian Hussey said “The four operations aimed to disrupt and target those involved in drug supply in Cumbria.
“Drug offences often lead to other types of crimes which has a negative impact on our communities.
“The commissioner’s funding allowed us to take targeted action across four days across our county.
“However, the work does not stop there, our officers continue to target those involved in serious and organised crime.
“We urge anyone with information on drug activities within our community to report information to us.
“Without your reporting we may not become aware of criminal activities or be able to get the results we have seen with these operations.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “I’m proud to have used money seized from drug dealers to fund operations that target others involved in drug crime. Turning criminals’ profits against them is an effective and responsible use of resources.
“I promised a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, which cause immense harm to our communities. We’re delivering on that promise.
“Each operation costs around £10,000 to carry out, and so far, they’ve resulted in over £600,000 worth of cash and harmful drugs being taken off our streets.
“Importantly, some of this recovered money will also be reinvested into our communities, supporting local projects such as youth and sports clubs. These initiatives provide safe spaces for young people, promote discipline, and crucially help steer them away from the dangers of drug involvement.”
Got information on drug activities in your community?
Officers also distributed 591 Drugs Awareness Community Appeal (DACA) to addresses across Cumbria.
Community reporting is vital if you received a DACA and have information please return it to us.
You can report information about drug dealing in the community or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, quickly and easily online via: www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it.
Or call us on 101.
Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.