Drugs raids have been carried out at several properties in West Cumbria by police.
Operation Bologna was conduct on Friday, April 11, and was funded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen.
The operation saw officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Operational Support, Dog Section, the Community Serious Organised Crime Unit and Force Intelligence Units involved in activities in the area.
The operation started with five misuse of drug act warrants in addresses in Millom, Maryport and Distington.
Officer also visited licensed premises in the evening and engaged with the individuals whilst on patrol.
During the day the County Lines Informed Cumbria team worked with lived experienced workers from The Well in Workington town centre, engaging with vulnerable members of the community and building up a rapport with hard-to reach individuals who have lack of trust in the services, police said.
Officers also engaged with young people in hotspot locations across the area. The locations had been identified as areas where youngsters had been deemed at risk of exposure to drug use and supply.
The operation resulted in:
- A 39-year-old man arrested on suspicion of processing criminal property and supply of a controlled drug class B following a warrant at a property on Mosedale Crescent, Maryport. He was released under investigation
- A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class C and a 51-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class C and possessing criminal property, following a warrant at a property on Main Street, Distington. Both were released under investigation.
- Thousands of pounds in cash was recovered
- Drugs including cannabis and pills recovered, including some believed to be high harm drugs
- Paraphernalia including scales and a cannabis press recovered
- Weapons including knives recovered from the addresses
- Over 11 licensed premises visited across Copeland and Allerdale with the drug scanning dog used
- Indications of cocaine found present in a number of toilets and suitable advice given to landlords
- Number of stop searches conducted as a result leading to recovery of drugs and referral to relevant organisations
- Spiking merchandise handed out to pub/club goers during the engagements and opportunities provided to discuss any concerns relating to Violence Against Women and Girls
- 200-plus drug awareness community appeal leaflets delivered
- Number of vape shops visited, and THC awareness advice provided
- Over 21 vehicles stopped – which resulted in TORS for speeding, mobile phones, insecure loads and number of drug wipes conducted
Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Sykes, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said “Operation Bologna is part of a series of police operations to clamp down on the devastating impact illicit drugs has on our local communities funded by the police, fire and crime commissioner.
“They aim to disrupt, prevent and target those who supply drugs in our communities.
“This included five warrants following intelligence from our communities.
“As part of the operation we had officers out in the night-time economy visiting pubs and clubs and having a visible presence to disrupt criminal behaviour.
“This was well received by staff at the pubs and clubs who were pleased to see officers carrying out drug searches.
“We also had officers out in Workington speaking to young people at hotspot locations, these were identified as areas where juveniles had been deemed at risk of exposure to drug use and supply.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Drugs will never be tolerated in our communities and I was glad to get out with the teams on Friday to send a loud and clear message: if you deal drugs, you will be found and you will be punished.
“My office funded this operation, I know how much drugs blight and ruin families lives and communities, I’m glad to see that we’ve hit a number of drug dealers hard and we will not stop in our pursuit to tackle drug dealing across Cumbria.
“Please can I ask residents to continue supplying the information that the Police need to act. It is only with your support that we can tackle drug dealing and drugs across Cumbria.”
