Drug den raid in Royal Wootton Bassett nets hunting knife and arrests
A police swoop on a suspected drug den in Royal Wootton Bassett today uncovered a large serrated hunting knife and led to at least one arrest. The operation is part of a sweeping crackdown on organised crime sweeping across the South West.
Big Haul in Station Road Raid
Wiltshire Police executed a warrant at a property on Station Road this morning, raiding the suspected hub for drug dealing. Officers seized drugs, weapons, and cash during the bust. A video from the scene shows police entering the property, arresting a man, and uncovering a cluttered room littered with rubbish — including the dangerous hunting knife.
Part of Nationwide Crackdown
The raid forms part of Operation Scorpion and Operation Mille, two national campaigns targeting organised crime gangs involved in the illegal drug trade.
Detective Sergeant Jim Issac said: “We are acting on intelligence from the community and working to disrupt criminals involved in drug dealing and other anti-social crime.”
These operations aim to smash major cannabis farms, curb drug-fuelled violence, and combat exploitation across England and Wales.
Massive Seizures and Arrests So Far
Operation Scorpion has already led to over 200 arrests and drug seizures worth more than £45 million across the South West. The haul includes large quantities of cannabis plants, cocaine, and weapons.
Wiltshire’s recent results include:
- Eight arrests
- Six warrants executed
- £12,000 in cash seized
- One knife recovered
- 246 grams of cocaine and 101 grams of cannabis seized
Official Praise and Community Safety Push
Wiltshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper stressed the importance of these joint efforts:
“The goal of operations like Op Scorpion and Op Mille is to sustain our momentum against organised criminal gangs and the illegal drug trade. This also helps prevent modern slavery, human trafficking, and anti-social behaviour linked to drugs.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Phillip Wilkinson added:
“Operation Scorpion shows a borderless approach to policing, tackling drug crime across urban and rural areas alike. The message is clear – Wiltshire and the South West is no place for drugs.”
Protecting the Vulnerable
A new phase of the Spot the Signs, Stop the Crime campaign targets child criminal exploitation, raising awareness among young people and parents alike. It uses online and offline platforms to warn against drug-related violence and exploitation.
The Check it Out youth zone on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website offers extra guidance for vulnerable youngsters.
Ongoing Regional Coalition Against Crime
Wiltshire joins forces with Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Avon & Somerset, and Gloucestershire police in a coordinated fight against organised drug crime. The message is firm: criminals have no safe haven in this region.
Authorities urge the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity to the police as investigations continue.
