Police services across the South West joined forces in a coordinated operation to combat drug-related crime on our roads and in our communities. 

Operation Scorpion 9, involving police forces from across the South West, aimed to dismantle drug networks and protect communities.

By sharing intelligence and resources, officers conducted targeted actions such as:

  • Intelligence-led vehicle stops
  • Search warrants at properties suspected of drug activity
  • High-visibility patrols in areas known for drug crime
  • Community engagement events to educate the public about the risks of drug-related crime

Across the week, results included:

  • 117 arrests for drugs-related offences including possession, supply, trafficking, drug importation and drug driving
  • 19 people charged with offences to date
  • The seizure of nearly 400kg of suspected Class A drugs and cannabis, along with a large number of ecstasy pills
  • Over £55,000 in cash seized suspected to be linked to drug crime
  • 109 education and engagement events with local communities and schools
  • At least 23 adults and children were safeguarded after vulnerability checks
  • Six weapons seized

Devon & Cornwall Police made 28 arrests with three people charged and two convicted of drug-related crime.

 In addition, 7.26 kilograms of Class A drugs, including over 5 kilograms of cocaine, were seized, along with 3000 doses of Ecstasy and 3.99 kilograms of cannabis.

Additionally, £45,555 of criminal funds were recovered, six bank accounts handling profits from crime were frozen and 13 vehicles were impounded.

Chief Superintendent Sheon Sturland for Devon & Cornwall Police said: “As a result of these interventions and disruptions, Devon & Cornwall Police and our partner forces in Operation Scorpion have sent a message to criminals – the South West is no place for drugs.

“Much of the activity for Operation Scorpion 9 was based around intelligence received from the public and other sources which informed an extensive operation using ANPR at static locations across the region and installed in our vehicles.

“This means that we have a metaphorical ring of steel around the South West, there is nowhere criminals can go on our road network without us knowing about it. We have denied the organised gangs the use of our roads, and we will continue to do so to end the misery that the dealing and use of drugs can cause to our communities.”

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “I and my fellow commissioners have been working as a team across the South West because drugs came up as an issue that our communities in all our force areas wanted tackling.

"This approach means we’re not merely displacing the problem to a neighbouring force area.

“Operation Scorpion Nine focussed on denying criminals use of the roads, with intelligence-led operations targeting vehicles which our forces know are involved in criminality.

"I am delighted that it has been such a success, would like to thank our communities who pass information anonymously to police, or anonymously to Crimestoppers – they are helping to maintain Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as one of the safest places to live in the country.”

The community can play a vital role in identifying potential drug-related activity and crime. Signs to look for include:

  • an increase in visitors or vehicles at a residence 
  • new, unfamiliar faces appearing frequently 
  • changes in a resident’s behaviour—becoming secretive, withdrawn, or aggressive 
  • young people with unexplained, expensive new items (clothes, phones, etc.) 
  • residents or young people going missing for extended periods 
  • young people seeming unfamiliar with your community or where they are 
  • suspicious vehicles - criminals often use cars, vans, and other vehicles to traffic drugs, cash, weapons, and vulnerable people. If you notice a vehicle repeatedly coming and going at odd times, parked in unusual locations, or being driven suspiciously, take note of the make, model, colour, and registration number. Even a small detail could be the key to disrupting a criminal network. 

For more information visit https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/.