Cumbria Police executed a series of warrants at addresses in the Westmorland and Furness area of Cumbria on Friday (27 March) – seizing cash, Class A drugs and making arrests.
The warrants were executed as part of Operation Ashington – funded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen as part of a crackdown on those involved in drug dealing in our communities.
A total of five warrants were executed on Friday in Appleby, Kendal, Penrith and Barrow (two).
The warrants resulted in seven individuals being arrested, more than £35,000 in cash being seized and drugs including more than 200 grams of cocaine and more than 300 grams of cannabis.
One of those arrested has been charged.
Bailey Dutton, 20, of Manchester Street in Barrow has been charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.
He was remanded to attend Barrow Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (28 March). At this appearance, he was remanded to attend Preston Crown Court on 29 April.
The others arrested were either released under investigation or dealt with via out of court disposals such as a caution.
Detective Inspector Dave Howard of Cumbria Constabulary said: “We will continue to act where there is intelligence that individuals or groups are involved in drug dealing in their local community.
“As well as executing warrants, we have also distributed DACAs (Drug Awareness Community Appeal leaflets) alongside this operation, aimed at encouraging people to continue to report such concerns to us.
“I would urge anyone who suspects drug dealing is taking place in their neighbourhood to come forward today.”
People can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit or by phone on 101.
Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen said: “I promised when I was elected that we’d take a zero-tolerance approach to drug dealers across Cumbria, this is me, working with the police to deliver on that promise which will continue to do.
“I want to thank the officers involved for their excellent work in removing these dealers from our communities. In my 30‑plus years working in law enforcement, I have seen drugs devastate entire neighbourhoods. I will not allow that to happen in Cumbria on my watch.
“I would urge the public to report anything to the Police or to CrimeStoppers, all intelligence will be followed up on and promptly dealt with.”