Despite the current health pandemic and restrictions on the way we live our daily lives, officers from Wiltshire Police’s Proactive Teams have been continuing to target Serious and Organised Crime within our communities.
In the past three weeks alone, the team has made eight arrests in relation to seven separate county lines drugs gangs operating in the county.
They’ve also seized £9,000 in cash, £22,000 worth of suspected class A drugs, and £6,000 worth of designer clothing believed to be proceeds of crime.
As part of their work, the team has also ensured safeguarding measures are put in place for four children. This included finding two 17-year-old’s at an unsuitable address who were located during a welfare visit and safely returning them home.
Other results include:
• On 2nd April, officers arrested a 19-year-old man in Cheney Manor Road, Swindon. A total of £1,800 cash was seized as well as two phones. He was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
• Two people from Devizes were arrested following a pursuit in the Calne area on 31st March. Cannabis, a mobile phone and drugs paraphernalia were seized from the vehicle and a large quantity of cannabis was found by officers when they retraced the route of the pursuit. Both have been released while enquiries continue.
• On 30th March, two men aged in their 20s and 40s from Devizes and Yarnbrook, were arrested after officers stopped a vehicle in Bratton Road and several thousand pounds worth of cannabis was located. Both were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs and have since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
• A 27-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy from London were arrested in Swindon on 7th April on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A and money laundering. The youth has since been released with no further action and safeguarding measures are being put in place.
• A man in his 20s from Trowbridge was arrested on 15th April after his vehicle was stopped in Bradley Road. Searches of his vehicle and home address uncovered approximately £2,000 worth of cocaine, £1,000 worth of cannabis and £6,000 worth of designer clothing which was all seized. He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Detective Inspector Paul Franklin said, “I know that coronavirus is at the forefront of everybody’s minds at the moment but it is important that the public know we are continuing to target those involved in illegal drug activity in our communities. Unfortunately, this type of criminal activity hasn’t stopped and those involved will continue to try and go about their illegal activity despite the restrictions on travel. It is important now more than ever, that anyone who may be living at home alone and may be vulnerable for a number of different reasons, is not being exploited by drugs gangs under the police radar.
“We have been working closely with a number of different departments within the Force, including local neighbourhood officers when dealing with these incidents.
“Please be reassured that we will continue to target those who seek to supply illegal drugs, whilst protecting the most vulnerable in our county and ensuring they are receiving the support they require.”
Detective Superintendent Steve Kirby added, “These arrests are some really great examples of the work being undertaken as part of Project Optimise – our collaborative approach to Serious and Organised Crime in Wiltshire and Swindon. This incorporates many areas of the demand we see on a daily basis, including county lines, modern slavery and child sex abuse.
“We launched Project Optimise back in January and it coincided with a week of action in Swindon targeting county lines. While the public are not likely to see a difference in the way we police Serious and Organised Crime, within the Force we have been working much more closely with partners, other agencies and charities, to combat the Organised Crime Groups which are active in our county. We recognise that we cannot do it alone, and it is crucial that we utilise the resources of all partners in a more collaborative response.”
