£3 Million Drug seizure in Torquay

A Serious Organised Crime Agency-led joint operation with Devon and Cornwall Police and the UK Border Agency resulted in six arrests and a seizure of more than 20 kilos of cocaine on Sunday 16 January in the Torquay area of Devon.

The cocaine recovered was of a very high purity which, once cut, could have resulted in around 80,000 street deals for supply in the communities of Devon and Cornwall, with a combined street value in excess of £3million.

The arrests followed an intensive surveillance operation on an industrial unit in Torquay.

On Sunday morning, officers from SOCA and D&C Police raided the unit and arrested three men.

Two more men and a woman were arrested later that day in Torquay, one of whom was arrested by D&C Police while driving on the A380.

All six are currently being held in police custody while enquiries continue.

Torbay LPA Commander Superintendent Richard Baker said: "Torbay police have supported colleagues from the Serious and Organised Crime Agency in what is a significant seizure of cocaine.

"The targeting of individuals concerned in the illegal supply of drugs remains a priority for us and we will continue to focus our energy on disrupting this activity.

"We know that cocaine destined for the streets of Torbay and other towns has a direct link with violent crime and there is no doubt this recent success will go a long way in reducing the numbers of victims in our communities."