Raids and arrests in New Forest and Christchurch as part of national County Lines Intensification Week crackdown by police on drug supply networks

There were raids and arrests across the New Forest as part of a week-long crackdown on drug supply networks.

Hundreds of cannabis plants were among items seized by officers in the district during County Lines Intensification Week, coordinated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

This combated the practice of dealing drugs using mobile phones, usually from large cities to towns and rural areas in the UK.

Line holders use runners – often young and vulnerable children – to deliver the drugs. This has links to some of the most serious and violent crimes such as human trafficking, modern slavery, and child exploitation.

A raid on an address on New Road in Blackfield on the first day saw around 22 cannabis plants seized.

Long Vo (21), of no fixed abode in Southampton, later pleaded guilty to producing a class B controlled drug and abstracting or using electricity without authority.

Having appeared at the city’s magistrates’ court, he was remanded in custody for sentencing at the crown court on 15th January.

Officers also arrested a 27-year-old Lymington man on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug and a controlled class B drug. Mobile phones and suspected class A drugs were also seized.

He was later released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

A cannabis factory with about 500 plants was found at an address on Romsey Road in Copythorne.

And an operation in Ringwood led to the arrest of a 20-year-old man on Christchurch Road in Bournemouth.

The man, from Ringwood, was detained on suspicion of drug-driving and was later released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

New Forest district commander Ch. Insp. Scott Johnson said: “I will continue to ensure that our officers focus on reducing drug-related harm in our communities.

“Whether that be through warrants or other operations, we will do everything we can to protect our communities and keep people safe from harm.”

Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the campaign saw a total of over £300,000 of drugs removed from the streets.

Officers arrested a total of 94 people, either deemed to be ‘line holders’ or those who were responsible for supplying drugs on the line holders’ behalf.

Force-wide, officers removed 2.99kg of cocaine with a street value of £151,450, 355g of crack with a street value of £31,150, 19.5g of heroin with a street value of £2,415, and 11,584g of cannabis with a street value of £115,840.

Alongside this, raids, stop searches and other intelligence-led activity saw the region’s officers dismantle 14 county lines.

They seized £134,600 in cash and/or proceeds from criminal activity in relation to drug supply, along with 170 mobile phones and devices, and confiscated 33 weapons including blades, a crossbow, a baton and a baseball bat.

Twelve youngsters were arrested for drug-related offences, and safeguarded against future threat and harm. Three other children were also safeguarded separately as part of wider enquiries.

Dorset Police’s part in the crackdown saw a total of 21 people arrested, with four subsequently charged. Six children were safeguarded, two suspected county lines closed and several weapons seized including a stun gun, air weapons and various knives.

Seizures included around £20,000 in cash, more than £15,000 of suspected cocaine and more than £200,000 of suspected cannabis.

In the BCP area three suspected cannabis factories were located and dismantled.

People are urged to report suspected drug-related activity to officers online via hampshire.police.uk or dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.