Wiltshire Drug Crackdown Nets Five Arrests and £6,000 in Seized Drugs and Cash
Major Raids Across Wiltshire Towns
Police swooped on drug dealers in Chippenham, Trowbridge, Devizes, and Swindon during a major weekend crackdown. Using tips from locals, officers executed four warrants, making five arrests and seizing around £2,000 in cash plus Class A drugs worth approximately £4,000 on the streets.
Suspects Arrested and Released Pending Enquiries
- A 31-year-old man from Trowbridge and a 29-year-old from Surrey were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Both remain under investigation.
- An 18-year-old woman from Chippenham was also arrested on suspicion of involvement in supplying Class A substances and released under investigation.
- Two men, aged 18 and 19, from Leeds were arrested and bailed while investigations continue.
Operation Scorpion Hits Drug Networks Hard
The raids formed part of Operation Scorpion, a large-scale initiative targeting the South West drug trade. The scheme involves Wiltshire Police, Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucester forces, and organisations like Crimestoppers and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
Its mission: dismantle drug supply chains and send a clear warning that drug dealers are not welcome in the region.
Community Help and Night-time Patrols
Officers patrolled pubs and clubs in Swindon over the weekend, focusing on the night-time economy and raising awareness about drug harms. Detective Inspector Darren Ambrose praised the local community.
“This operation has taken a large amount of cash and Class A drugs off the streets. Without vital community intelligence, it wouldn’t have been possible,” he said.
“Drugs ruin lives and fuel violence, robbery, and anti-social behaviour. Beyond disrupting supply, we want to educate the public on the devastating impact drugs can have on your job, relationships, and reputation. We won’t stop until Wiltshire and the entire South West are drug-free.”
Police Chief Sends a Strong Message
Philip Wilkinson, Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, added:
“Wiltshire and the South West are no place for drugs. Dealers and users should be clear – the crackdown is relentless. Taking drugs on nights out isn’t harmless fun, and our focus on the night-time economy shows we’re serious about protecting our communities.”
