POLICE have launched a major crackdown on dealers using the railway to transport drugs across Hampshire.

Officers from Hampshire Police’s anti-drugs crime unit Operation Fortress joined British Transport Police and South West Trains staff for the crackdown at Havant train station.

Two passive drugs dogs and handlers were accompanied by covert officers on each platform during the operation.

Twelve people were stopped and searched under the misuse of drugs act and four separate seizures of cannabis were made.

Three people were issued with cannabis warnings for possession of drugs.

Detective Sergeant Simon Clacey who was leading the operation said: “Using the rail network to transport drugs into the Havant area will not be tolerated.

"Future operations utilising passive drug dogs and other tactical options will be undertaken to prevent dealers operating within the local community.”

Operation Fortress is a campaign involving police and other agencies to reduce the harm of drug-related violence.

One of the aims is to restrict the supply of drugs and officers are keen to hear from anyone who is concerned about illegal drugs or drug-related crime in their neighbourhood.

The things to look out for are as follows:

  • A sudden increase in visitors to a house or flat and people only staying for a very short time
  • Short exchanges between small groups of people at or close to a flat or house
  • Residents leaving a flat or house on numerous occasions throughout the day and returning a short time later
  • People loitering in an area and using their mobile phones frequently
  • New-looking or hire cars parked outside a house or flat that wouldn’t normally be there, and being driven by somebody that you wouldn’t normally associate with driving that style of car.

If you have any concerns, call police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.

You can also email us in confidence operation.fortress@hampshire.pnn.police.uk If you don't want to speak to the police directly, you can call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.