Cumbria Police have charged seven more people with drug related offences as part of Operation Horizon.
Today (10th January), day three of Cumbria Police’s Operation Horizon, saw officers execute further arrest enquiries and a warrant.
The activity, which took place in the early morning, takes the total number of arrests to 27.
Of those arrested as part of the operation – which is targeting county lines drug dealing – 17 people have now been charged.
The following people have been charged and are due to appear at Barrow Magistrates’ Court today:
- Mark Wells, aged 42, of Low White Close, Barrow, is charged with six counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to crack cocaine and heroin.
- Simon Duffield, aged 39, of Manchester Street, Barrow, is charged with supplying Class A drugs.
- Dean Appleton, aged 30, of Broad Close, Barrow, is charged with eleven counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to crack cocaine and heroin.
- Kerry Rooney, aged 40, of Egerton Court, Barrow, is charged with four counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to heroin.
- Mark Jackson, aged 38 of Piel View Grove, Barrow, is charged with possession of Class A drugs.
- Daniel Duke, aged 39, of no fixed abode, was charged with four counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to heroin. He appeared at Barrow Magistrates’ Court yesterday. He has been remanded in police custody.
- Sandra Charles, aged 47, of Hartington Street, Barrow, is charged with six counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to crack cocaine and heroin. She is due to appear at Barrow Magistrates’ Court on the 6th February 2019.
The four people arrested today (10th January) all remain in custody:
- A 36-year-old man from Barrow has been arrested on suspicion of attempt to supply a Class A drug, crack cocaine, and offer to supply crack cocaine.
- A 35-year-old woman from Barrow has been arrested on suspicion of supplying a Class A drugs, heroin and cocaine.
- A 29-year-old woman from Barrow has been arrested on suspicion to supply a Class A drug.
- A 29-year-old man from Barrow has been arrested on suspicion to supply a Class A drug, crack cocaine.
Yesterday (9th January), the following arrests were made:
- A 54-year-old woman, from London, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. She has been released under investigation.
- An 18-year-old male, from London, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He has been released under investigation.
- A 27-year-old man from Merseyside was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, heroin and crack cocaine. He has been released under investigation.
- A 16-year-old male, from Liverpool, was arrested on suspicion of supplying a Class A drug. He has been released under investigation.
- A 27-year-old man, from London, was arrested on suspicion of supplying a Class A drug. He has been released under investigation.
- A 25-year-old woman, from London, was arrested on suspicion of supplying a Class A drug. She has been released under investigation.
Barrow Police Inspector Jim Bailey said: “Operation Horizon has involved thousands of hours of unseen policing focusing on complex and covert police investigations into the supply of drugs into Barrow from London and Coventry.
“This operation has involved teams from across the force, they have all worked tirelessly to get to this week where warrants have been executed and arrest enquiries made. This hard work has resulted in a significant amount of arrests made and charges brought.
“The operation was put in place following 14 drugs deaths since December 2017 in Barrow. These deaths hugely affected the community and was quite rightly a concern for them. Action to stop this cycle was needed.
“County lines drug supply into Barrow is unfortunately here because there is a demand, and that is why we are focusing our work with partner agencies such as The Well, Unity and CADAS on supporting people creating the demand. We work closely with these partners to provide support to individuals addicted to drugs, and their support networks, to help them get off drugs.
“We want to send a clear message to anyone thinking of coming to Barrow to supply drugs that you are not welcome here, not by the police and not by the community. Cumbria is not a soft touch and it is not worth you trying.
“Education to the public is vital. Family and friends need to know how to spot the signs in vulnerable adults and children to prevent them being exploited by organised crime gangs.”
Signs to look out for include:
- Persistently going missing or leaving home
- Unexplained luxury items such as clothes and money
- Excessive receipt of text or phone calls
- Relationships with controlling individuals or gang associations.
- Relationships with people you don’t know
- Suspicion of self-harm, physical assault or unexplained injuries
- Parental concerns
- Significant decline on school or work performance
- Significant changes in emotional well-being
Signs of cuckooing
A type of crime where a drug dealer befriends an individual who lives on his or her own. The drug dealer then moves in, takes over the property and turns it into a drugs den.
- Increased visitors to an address
- Unknown regular visitors to an address
- Signs of drug use
- Secured doors wedged open
- Not being allowed into a property that you usually are
