POLICE services across the south west have joined forces to combat drug-related crime.

Operation Scorpion focused on disrupting drug markets, dismantling organised crime groups, and safeguarding communities from drug crime, including serious violence and anti-social behaviour.

The operation ran from September 30 to October 6 and saw forces from Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire take part.

As a result of the week-long investigation, officers seized nearly £400,000 of suspected class As, cannabis and ecstasy.

117 people were also arrested for drug-related offences including possession, supply, trafficking, drug importation and drug driving across the south west. 

A hunting knife and a knuckle duster were discovered as well as 21 arrests made, and four vehicles and weapons seized across Dorset.

In Christchurch, a man was charged with possessing class A drugs with intent to supply after he and a woman were stopped in a vehicle near to the Blackwater Junction on the A338, and he was found to be concealing drugs.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and has been released under investigation as further enquiries are carried out.

In Poole, an intelligence-led operation resulted in a vehicle being stopped.

Searches uncovered a number of wraps of suspected drugs and a man was charged with possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

Assistant chief constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “We fully recognise the impact that the supply of illegal drugs and drug related activity has on our communities.

“By working with regional colleagues and developing vital intelligence provided by our communities, we are able to make Dorset a hostile environment for those involved in suspected supply of illegal drugs to operate in.

“Through working together and focussing on the road networks in the region, we have continued to further disrupt the activities of those involved in the suspected supply of illegal drugs."

Dorset police and crime commissioner, David Sidwick said: “Once again, the power of close collaboration with our regional colleagues as part of Operation Scorpion has yielded another set of great results for Dorset and beyond.

“This latest iteration of Operation Scorpion has focused upon disrupting criminal activity on the roads and tackling those who put people’s lives at risk through drug driving, alongside intelligence-led operations in our communities.

“It is imperative that those who commit harmful behaviours involving illegal drugs are robustly tackled, sending a crystal-clear message to others that we will not tolerate criminal behaviour in Dorset.

“I know the impact illegal drugs have, and I am absolutely determined to ensure work pursuing the drugs gangs and those intent on bringing harmful substances to Dorset will continue to be relentless.”