More than 120 arrests have been made in a four-day crackdown on county lines drug dealing across the south west.

Wiltshire Police collaborated with four other forces in the area between Monday 4 July and Friday 8 July to seize £630,000 worth of drugs and £180,000 cash.

Individually, the force made 40 arrests, which resulted in 16 charges and two convictions. 

In Wiltshire, 17 vulnerable women and children were safeguarded and £13,105 cash was seized.

A vast array of weapons were also seized, including air rifles, knuckledusters and knives.

This was phase two of Operation Scorpion, a combined effort from regional police forces, transport police, the organised crime unit, and charity Crimestoppers to tackle county lines drug suppliers.

County lines are drug networks that connect rural cities and villages to larger urban cities across the UK. Runners are given supplies that can last months and they distribute drugs to rural areas.

Phase one of Operation Scorpion took place in March 2022 and resulted in nearly 200 arrests, disruption to 400 drug lines, and seizure of over £400,00 in suspected drugs.

Speaking on behalf of the five regional police forces, Wiltshire Police chief constable Kier Pritchard said: “Operation Scorpion is about combining the resources, intelligence and enforcement powers of all the police forces across the south west to create the most hostile environment we can for those intent on peddling their illegal drugs in our region."

'There is no hiding place'

David Sidwick, Police and crime commissioner for Dorset, thanked officers for putting in the hours to ensure phase two was a success.

"As Police and Crime Commissioners we know that criminals don’t see county borders and Op Scorpion shows those criminals that we too can work in the same way – put simply - there is no hiding place," he added.

Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity should report it to their local police service online or via 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

To pass on information anonymously, speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use their non-traceable online form. Contact will remain 100% anonymous and if the information supplied leads to an arrest and charge, there could be a cash reward of up to £1,000.

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