25 people have been arrested in a drugs crackdown by police in Wiltshire.
As part of Operation Scorpion, forces across the South West joined together to tackle the supply of illegal drugs and safeguard vulnerable people.
Locally, Officers seized £33,531 in cash, alongside drugs including 1.3kg of cannabis, 0.95kg of cocaine, 143g of crack, 160g of heroin, 125g of ketamine, 316 Valium pills and 107 MDMA pills.
In total, 25 people were arrested – eight of which are suspected drug line holders, who were all charged and remanded in custody.
Other items seized included a firearm, a Torch Taser, 13 weapons such as knives and machetes, a Surron bike, three e-bikes and three motocross bikes.
Fourteen drug lines were dismantled and ten people were safeguarded.
In total across the South West, a total of 102 people were arrested, 65kg of cocaine, 13kg of cannabis and £119,326 cash were seized, and an estimated 29 county lines shut down.
The operation also focused on those exploiting children and enabling drug activity within local communities.
Police forces carried out educational work with young people and schools, highlighting the risks of illegal vapes and raising concerns that young people are being recruited to sell them, putting them at risk of further exploitation.
Research indicates an increasing number of children and vulnerable people across the region are being exploited to supply and store drugs.
Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Tucker, of Wiltshire Police, said: “By working together across the region, it gives us the best opportunity to tackle suspected criminal networks who are operating across our Force areas and exploiting vulnerable people, particularly young children.
“As well as robust enforcement activity, we also recognise the need to target those sectors where these criminal networks may be operating, to highlight the signs to look out for and encourage reporting so we can safeguard vulnerable people and maximise our intelligence picture.
“We will continue to work together to tackle these issues and make the South West a hostile environment for these suspected criminals to operate in.
“Our work continues to be supported by information and intelligence we receive from our communities, and we would continue to urge anyone with information relating to child exploitation or suspected drug related activity to please report it to us.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Operation Scorpion continues to show the strength of regional collaboration in tackling the harm caused by drug crime – this time focussing on the professional enablers and businesses that may knowingly or unknowingly turn a blind eye to county lines activity and child exploitation.
“Criminals rely on gaps in awareness and accountability, and we are working to close those gaps across the region.
“My message is clear – safeguarding our young people is everyone’s responsibility. Businesses and professionals have a duty to recognise and report signs of exploitation. We will not tolerate any environment where organised criminal networks are allowed to operate.
“My office, alongside Wiltshire Police, will continue to work with local authorities, schools, and community partners to raise awareness and empower people to act.
“Through campaigns like Spot the Signs, Stop the Crime, we’re helping more people understand the red flags of exploitation and take meaningful steps to stop it.
“For young people, parents, and professionals seeking guidance, the Check it Out youth zone on my website remains a key resource to learn more about the risks of county lines and how to get support.”
