Four dawn drugs raids in New Milton and Christchurch

CANNABIS plants and cash linked to suspected money laundering were seized when police carried out four dawn raids in New Milton and Christchurch.

Officers from Hampshire and Dorset teamed up for the crackdown on drug-related activity in the area – specifically the distribution and supply of class A drugs.

The searches were carried out at 5am on Tuesday at addresses including Wagtail Drive and Fawcett Road in New Milton, and Groveley Road in Christchurch.

A number of items were seized during these raids, including two cannabis plants and a sum of money.

Stolen property from a burglary in New Milton last year was also recovered.

Police said enquiries surrounding the investigation are ongoing.

Local neighbourhood policing teams and PCSOs were expected to patrol these areas in the wake of the searches.

Hampshire police’s inspector for the New Forest West district, Michael Minnock, said: “This is a really positive operation in terms of disrupting a potential supply chain of class A drugs into the New Forest and surrounding areas.

“We will continue to respond to reports from the local community of such activity, and will not stop at just investigating. We want to see results, holding people to account for their actions and bringing them to justice.

“There is likely to be an increased visibility of officers in the community over the coming days, as we continue our ongoing investigations. We are grateful for the cooperation of the local community in these instances.”