Arrests made and drugs seized as police swoop on organised criminals

Nine people have been arrested and a quantity of suspected crack cocaine, cocaine powder and heroin has been seized as police moved in on an alleged county lines drug gang in North Derbyshire. 

A 41-year-old woman from Whaley Bridge was arrested on Wednesday (24 February) suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, after being stopped in a vehicle on Buxton Road in Stockport. Police say she was released under investigation as enquiries continue.

Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man from Rotherham and a 42-year-old man from Sheffield were both arrested on Monday (22 February) on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, after they were stopped by officers in Chesterfield. Both were released on police bail.

The following day, two men aged 37 and 40, both from Chesterfield, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine after being stopped by officers in a car in Arkwright Town. The pair have been released under investigation as enquiries continue. 

Then, on Thursday (25 February), two Sheffield men, aged 19 and 25, and two Chesterfield women, aged 31 and 47, were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply at a house in Newbold, after suspected crack cocaine and heroin was found during the search. 

Derbyshire Police say it was part of a week of action - run by the North Division Serious Organised Crime Team - in the north east and north west of Derbyshire, which has seen proactive targeting of drug dealers and organised criminals. 

It focused on offences including possession with intent to supply class A and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. 

Working in conjunction with Safer Neighbourhood teams, SALCU road crime units, firearms and uniform task force colleagues, two warrants were carried out, along with numerous stops of cars believed to be involved in county lines drug running. 

Detective Inspector Gaz Smethem, who leads the organised crime team, said: “The work this week has taken a significant number of weapons and drugs off the streets – and seen a number of people arrested on suspicion of very serious offences.  

"Targeting organised criminality is something the team does on a day-to-day basis – but this week has seen an increased level of activity with the support of colleagues from across the force and I would like to thank each and every one of them for their help.” 

On top of the drugs and arrests, officers also seized three vehicles, £15,000 of cash was frozen and a forfeiture order made on it, and four dogs were seized under the Animal Welfare Act. 

The officers also spoke with residents in other areas including in Buxton and Glossop, where drug dealing and county lines operations are known to be active. 

Detective Sergeant Simon Cartwright said: “The drugs and criminality that these groups bring with them have a huge impact on our local communities and I hope the work carried out this week has had a positive effect on those living in these areas.  

"And it is to those people who are living in these areas that I want to make a direct plea. Myself and the team rely on information coming from our communities and I would ask anyone who believes that drug dealers or criminal gangs may be operating in their area to contact us, in confidence, at any time. 

"We know the devastating effects that these criminals have on families torn apart by drug abuse and the impact the other types of crime that come with them operating in our county." 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Derbyshire police in confidence, online at www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us or by calling 101. People can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can watch police raid one property in the video at the top of the page.

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