Four Charged Over Supply Of Drugs

Operation Fortress: four charged with drug supply offences Four people have been charged as part of a police campaign to target the supply of drugs and drug-related violence in Southampton.

Operation Fortress aims to restrict the supply of drugs, reduce the demand for them and help rebuild local communities free from the fear of violence. At around 10am, Wednesday, August 1, police officers stopped a taxi on Weston Lane, Bitterne. 

The front-seat passenger, Abdi Farah, 19, of Cromwell Road, Hayes, was searched, arrested and later charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin. He was remanded in custody to next appear at Southampton Magistrates Court on August 9.

As a result of their enquiries, officers from the Operation Fortress team conducted a search of a flat in Rotterdam Towers, Weston. That led to the arrest of a further five people, three of whom were later charged. 

Omar Abdi, 19, of Bourne Avenue, Hayes, and Abdi Saeed, 30, of Rowstoft Gardens, Camden, were both charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. Both are remanded in custody to next appear in court at Southampton Crown on September 28. 

A 17-year-old woman from Portsmouth was charged with possession with intent to supply heroin and possession of cannabis. She is next due to appear at Southampton Youth Court today (August 7). 

Two Southampton men, both 21, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and were bailed until September 14. 

If you're concerned about drug dealing or drug-related violence where you live in Southampton you can contact the Operation Fortress team in confidence. Email operation.fortress@hampshire.pnn.police.uk or call 101. If a crime is in progress, always call 999.