'We are dedicated': Police operation targeting drug supply leads to arrests and seizures

An operation targeting drug dealers and criminals using Portsmouth’s road network has resulted in several arrests and the seizure of drugs, cash and weapons.

Officers from Portsmouth’s Priority Crime Team, neighbourhood policing teams, investigations teams and the Joint Operations Road Policing Unit’s proactive team joined forces for the operation on Wednesday, August 19.

The day of action focused on disrupting criminal activity across the city, with officers carrying out stop and searches and targeting individuals suspected of involvement in drug supply and other offences.

Portsmouth Chief Inspector Sam Warne said: “We are continuing to regularly run operations of this nature as part of our ongoing work to disrupt drug supply in Portsmouth and target offenders using our road networks to commit offences.

“We are dedicated to making our City safer for all who live and visit here, and anyone involved in criminal activity that puts others at risk of harm will be dealt with appropriately and robustly.”

Officers proactively stopped and searched a man from Portsmouth on Fawcett Road who was suspected of being involved in drug supply offences. Searches uncovered suspected cannabis and cocaine, and a subsequent search of his address led to the discovery and seizure of further suspected Class A and B drugs, cash and mobile phones.

The 30-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class B. He has since been bailed until November 19 whilst police enquiries continue.

Officers also stopped a vehicle being driven in suspicious circumstances on Waterloo Street, Southsea, prompting a search of the occupants and the vehicle. Class A drugs, two small knives, cash and mobile phones were discovered, resulting in the arrest of two people.

A 45-year-old man from Shrewsbury was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A, possessing a knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place and drug driving, and a 34-year-old woman from Shrewsbury was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug of Class A. They have both been bailed until November 19.

Police at the scene of the Waterloo incident also stopped Katrina Weston, of Waterloo Street for a search. She reportedly assaulted three officers by scratching two of them and biting another.

The 42-year-old was arrested and charged with three counts of assaulting an emergency worker and has been bailed to appear next at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on October 1.

Suspected Class A drugs were also located in a car during a search in Sultan Road, and officers conducted a search of the driver and the vehicle. The driver was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug of Class A – Heroin and drug driving. He has been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.

Intelligence gathering has also resulted in the arrests of three outstanding suspects, including a 38-year-old man from Portsmouth who was arrested on suspicion of committing 26 shoplifting offences.