Cumbria’s Community and Serious Organised Crime (CSOC) team in Westmorland and Furness continued its relentless efforts to tackle drug supply and organised crime in 2025.
Over the past 12 months, investigations led by detectives in the team have seen offenders jailed for over 63 years in total, with many more awaiting trial or court date in the coming months.
The team, working alongside colleagues from Intelligence Units, Tactical Support and Neighbourhood Policing Teams, conducted 25 warrants resulting in seizures of drugs such as Crack Cocaine, Heroin and Cannabis, as well as cash.
In total over £36,000 cash was seized and over 120kg of various drugs recovered including significant seizures of:
- 30kg of Cocaine, worth over £2.4milllion, for which Scott Tobin (33, Glasgow) was jailed for, for 8 years in December
- 5.5kg of Cocaine, worth £500,000 which saw Anthony Ali, (42, Bradford) jailed for 4 years and 8 months in October
- 1kg of Cocaine and £28,000 in cash which Andrew Bell (35 Penrith) and Eyup Bayram (35, Bournemouth) jailed for 18 years combined.
30 arrests were made with 17 charges secured so far – with some investigations ongoing.
Detective Inspector Andy Lamb, of Westmorland and Furness CSOC, said: “The CSOC team are a specialised branch of detectives within CID who tackle drugs supply, county lines drug supply, money laundering and cash seizures to disrupt criminal networks.
“Working in close partnership with teams across the force, the team has consistently disrupted Serious and Organised Crime over the last 12 months. These proactive interventions have significantly reduced high-harm offences and exploitation, ultimately making our communities safer.
“The results we have seen speak volumes about our officer’s dedication, efficiency, and relentless drive to target these issues which we know greatly affect our communities in Westmorland and Furness .
“We will continue to target those involved in criminality throughout the coming year, and these outcomes should serve as a stark warning to anyone considering engaging in such activity – we will find you, and we will bring you to justice.”
Insp Lamb continued: “We rely greatly on information from the public to help us identify and disrupt such criminal activity. If you see anything suspicious or have concerns about drug-related activity, I encourage you to report it to the police. Your information could make a real difference and will help us achieve even greater results in 2026.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Drugs and drug-related crime can destroy communities so it’s essential that we tackle it head on.
“In 2025, Cumbria Constabulary have dedicated the resources to tackle drug dealing, drug trafficking and county lines to ensure you and your family are safe.
“These results are brilliant and I’m sure the CSOC will continue to tackle and drive down drug related crime.
“I’d encourage the public to continue to report anything suspicious to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. The Police can only help if they know where the issues are – if you report, you help us build that much needed intelligence to tackle crime across the county, making it safer for everyone.”
You can report information on drug activities online - Report | Cumbria Police or call 101 – or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.