Seven people have been charged with supplying Class A drugs following a major drugs crackdown in Hampshire.

More than 150 police officers were involved in carrying out raids at 15 properties.

Those arrested are due to appear before magistrates today.

During the operation in Portsmouth officers seized approximately £8500 worth of heroin and crack cocaine.

Seven people have been charged with supply of a Class A drug

  • Daniel Ekong, aged 21, from Wingfield Street in Portsmouth (also charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug)
  •  Zoe Armstrong, aged 30, from Lumsden Road in Southsea
  •  Jamie Stevens, aged 38, from Livesay Gardens in Portsmouth
  •  Stuart Hall, aged 26, from Meriden Road in Southsea
  •  Lindsay Saunders, aged 32, from Earlsdon Street in Southsea.
  •  A 16-year-old boy from Cosham.

These people will be appearing at Portsmouth Magistrates Court today.

Mark Samways, aged 34, from Portsmouth has also been charged with supply of a Class A drug.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on February 22.

A 22-year-old man from Portsmouth was also arrested as part of the operation.

He has been cautioned for possession of a Class A drug.

Chief Inspector Darren O’Callaghan, who led the operation, said: “I would like to thank those who supported the operation, in particular the Crown Prosecution Service, Royal Navy Police and the court service who have put a special court in place.

“Our Safer Neighbourhood teams also worked in those areas where arrests took place to reassure community members and to update local people about the police action.

"We will continue to respond positively to community concerns regarding the effects of drug supply and associated crime, making Hampshire a more hostile place for criminals to operate"

If you are concerned about drug activity in your neighbourhood you can call the police in confidence on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.

If you don’t want to speak to the police directly you can also call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 which will pass on the information.