20 Charged After Bournemouth Drug Raids
A further three people have been arrested in Bournemouth, following the fourth day of an intelligence-led operation to remove suspected drug dealers from the town.
Officers in Bournemouth have made three further arrests as part of an intelligence-led operation to remove suspected drug dealers from the town – six people have pleaded guilty to drugs charges at court.
Two men, aged 19 and 37, and one woman, aged 42, were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.
The 42-year-old woman has been charged with supplying Class A drugs, the 19-year-old man has been released on bail and the 37-year-old man continues to help with police enquiries.
A total of 29 arrests have been made since Wednesday, 1 September 2010 – with warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 being executed at addresses in the Boscombe, Lansdowne and Westbourne areas of Bournemouth.
A large quantity of cash and suspected stolen goods were seized from many of these properties, along with substances believed to be drugs.
So far, 18 men and two women have been charged with the supply of Class A drugs. One man and one woman continue to assist police with their enquiries and the remaining people have been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Thirteen people have already appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates court. Five men, aged 22, 31, 34, 36 and 41, and one 37-year-old woman, all from the Bournemouth area, have pleaded guilty to drugs offences. All six will appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, 24 September 2010.
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Chief Superintendant Lynn Hart, of Bournemouth police, said:
“This operation highlights Dorset Police’s commitment to tackling the alleged supply of Class A drugs and associated acquisitive crimes and violence.
“We have been responding to calls from members of the community, who have been clear that they want us to deal with these issues.
“I’m hoping that the results over the past few days will show Bournemouth residents that Dorset Police, along with our partners, will continue to take a tough stance.
“It’s important that members of the public continue to talk to us about any issues in their communities so that we can continue, with our partners, to address local concerns and priorities. With their help we can make a difference.
“A large number of officers, as well as Dorset Police’s partners, have worked tirelessly over several months to ensure that that the operation went ahead as efficiently and safely as possible – and I thank residents and local traders for their patience over the last few days.
“Operation Dismantle is a countywide operation which is ongoing across all areas of Dorset, so members of the public can expect that activity will occur in any town at any time in the future.”
Dorset Police will continue to take part in community-based partnership work. This includes support for drug users and victims of drug suppliers, as well as improving the local communities in affected neighbourhoods.
As part of the operation, Dorset Police is working closely with colleagues from the local Drugs Action Team and would encourage any drug users seeking help and advice to contact the Bournemouth Assessment Team on 01202 209463.
Chief Superintendant Hart continued: “My message for drug users is, ‘yes, you’ve got a habit so get some help now. We are going to tackle drugs, tackle drug use and tackle drug dealing in the Bournemouth area. Make a life-changing decision today – get off the drugs’..”
Anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 222 222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.