Home / Crime and Justice / Operation Scorpion Nets 92 in Major South West Crime Sweep
Operation Scorpion Nets 92 in Major South West Crime Sweep
13 Mar
Summary
- Nearly 92 arrests made during a week-long operation on drugs and child exploitation.
- Over £54,915 cash and £446,000 worth of drugs were seized.
- 17 weapons, including air weapons and a knuckleduster, were confiscated.
Operation Scorpion, a comprehensive seven-day initiative, has concluded with significant successes in combating illegal drugs and child exploitation across the south west of England. This coordinated effort involved five police forces, including Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire, alongside British Transport Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
The operation focused on dismantling gangs that utilize young people for drug trafficking, often bringing substances into the region from major urban centers. During the crackdown, authorities arrested nearly 92 individuals and seized a substantial quantity of illicit items.
Key seizures included over £54,915 in cash, drugs valued at more than £446,000, and 17 weapons, such as air weapons and a knuckleduster. Furthermore, police identified and safeguarded 52 vulnerable individuals, providing them with access to support services.
Devon and Cornwall Police reported specific seizures within their jurisdiction, including 1.5g of crack, 0.15g of heroin, 2239.8g of cocaine, and 50g of cannabis resin. They also visited 14 cuckooed addresses, a tactic where drug dealers take over a vulnerable person's home. Police stated this action is ongoing and a robust approach will continue to disrupt drug supply and tackle associated exploitation.
