Officers carried out a series of drugs warrants on properties in Swindon yesterday morning.
Four addresses in the Walcot area were targeted aimed at disrupting local drug gangs.
At one property on Hunsdon Close, two men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply Class A drugs.
The men are 29 and 54-years-old and the woman is 50-years-old. All three are currently in custody.
A thorough search was carried out at this address, including the use of Echo, one of their drugs’ dogs. A sum of £2,000 in cash was found along with a quantity of suspected Class A and B drugs.
No other arrests were made at the other properties and enquiries are continuing following today’s operation.
Inspector David Tippetts, who led the operation, said: “This was an intelligence led operation to disrupt the supply of controlled drugs in the Walcot area of Swindon.
“We take this crime seriously and want to target the drug gangs to not only prevent the supply of illegal drugs but also the associated crimes that go with this – including the theft of push-bikes and anti-social behaviour using mopeds. These issues need to be stopped – hence our work here today.
“This is a localised drugs network but is no less dangerous than the larger so called County Lines networks as these gangs exploit and target children to buy the drugs as well as getting them to push drugs.”
Sgt Richard Fay, Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant for Parks and Walcot, said: “Today is all about targeting those who cause the most harm to our local communities.
“It’s us taking a stance on behalf of those who live in these areas, showing that drug dealing won’t be tolerated.
“Operations like these are so important because the impact of drugs causes a ripple effect linking to anti-social behaviour and gang related crime, so it’s imperative we tackle the heart of the problem which is the drugs themselves.
“Drug dealing isn’t just happening out of London – there are local drug gangs and dealers which still need to be dealt with.
“One particular gang known to us is the Walcot Boyz, and I would urge anyone who knows of anyone associated with this gang or has any information on them to contact us via 101 or our website: www.wiltshire.police.uk. You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“It’s the information and intelligence from the community which helps us tackle these groups, but the more help and intelligence local people can give us the more we can deal with this issue.”
Wiltshire and Swindon’s Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said: “This is great proactive work carried out by the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, not only curbing this type of criminality but also sending the right message to the actual people living in local communities that the police are taking your reports and intelligence seriously.
“Drugs on all levels – whether taking or dealing – not only destroy lives but ricochet affects throughout our towns and villages – hitting innocent people.
“Today’s work is part of that bigger picture to tackle crime in Swindon and Wiltshire.”
Do you suspect someone of dealing drugs in your neighbourhood?
Signs can include:
• An unusual number of people visiting 24/7
• Drugs paraphernalia left outside
• Tenants/home owners having an unusually lavish lifestyle.
What to do if you find drugs paraphernalia such as syringes and needles.
If you find drugs paraphernalia, call your council who’ll arrange for a safe clean up. For your safety please do not touch anything you find, as it could be dangerous. Make a note of its location and report it immediately.
Signs that a cannabis factory may be in operation in your neighbourhood include:
• Lights left on all day and night
• Curtains constantly drawn or windows blacked out
• Strong pungent smell and high humidity in the property
• Different people, coming and going at strange times
• Visits by people for short periods
• Venting protruding from the roof and the constant sound of cooling fans.
