Seven arrested after drug busts (From Daily Echo)
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Seven arrested after drug busts
10:05pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News
By Patrick Knox, Senior Reporter
SEVEN people have tonight been arrested as part of a police operation in the Totton area to disrupt drug dealing.
Officers carried out 11 warrants at 9 homes and two businesses.
These were at Calmore Drive, Priest Croft Drive, Blackfield, Tatchbury Mount, Jackie Wigg Gardens (two), Shakespeare Drive, Bubba Dees Tan Shack, Water Lane and Barrweld, Brockenford Lane
Another search was then carried out at an address in Saturn Close.
Those arrested are being held on suspicion of offences including being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.
An eighth person was interviewed by officers during one of the searches on suspicion of possession of cannabis and bailed until next Friday.
The warrants were carried out as part of Operation Fortress, a campaign to reduce the harm of drug related violence in and around Southampton.
During the searches officers seized what is thought to be Class A and Class B drugs along with a quantity of cash.
Chief Inspector Tony Rowlinson, district commander for the New Forest said: "Disrupting the supply of drugs is a priority for police in the New Forest in support of Operation Fortress.
"We’ve already run a number of successful drugs operations over the last few years which have led to custodial sentences and we’ll continue to be relentless in the pursuit of drug dealers.
"The Forest is a hostile place for anyone coming here to deal drugs or who commits violent offences linked to drugs.
Drug-related crime can have a significant impact on communities so I hope today’s action as part of Operation Fortress will bring some respite to those affected and reassure people that they can come forward to the police with information about what’s happening in their neighbourhood.
If you’re concerned about drug dealing, drug use or drug-related violence, you can always speak to us in strict confidence.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Fortress team in confidence on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
