Three arrested and £30,000 of cocaine seized in Cumbria drugs operation
Warrants were carried out in Penrith, Barrow and Kendal as part of Operation Alliance
Three men have been arrested and cocaine worth an estimated £30,000 seized after Cumbria Police carried out warrants across the county.
Officers executed warrants at addresses in Penrith, Barrow and Kendal on Wednesday 30th September, as part of Operation Alliance, the force's dedicated operation targeting serious and organised crime.
The action formed the latest drugs day of action, funded by Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, using money seized from criminals.
Officers executed a warrant at an address on Crown Terrace in Penrith town centre, where they arrested three men.
At the address, officers seized cocaine worth an estimated £30,000, along with a significant quantity of cash and two e-bikes.
Two men, aged 23 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, and being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. Both have since been released under investigation as enquiries continue.
A third man, Jordan Wilby, 33, of no fixed address, was charged with possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
He appeared at Barrow Magistrates' Court on Thursday 1st October, where he did not enter a plea. His case will next be heard at Carlisle Crown Court on 30th October.
Officers also executed a warrant on Marsh Street in Barrow, where they arrested a 42-year-old man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class B drug. He has since been released under investigation.
Warrants were also carried out at a second address in Barrow, and at addresses in Kendal, which did not result in any arrests.
Inspector Martyn Irving, of Cumbria Police, said the warrants executed on Wednesday "not only resulted in immediate arrests but significant intelligence opportunities which may result in further action in the future".
"Operations such as these are being carried out regularly across the county, targeting those individuals and groups who believe they can operate outside the law with impunity," Inspector Irving said.
"We would like to thank those people who report suspicions of criminality in their community. Such information helps us take the kind of action we have taken this week," he said.
"My message to those people who do seek to earn money from the illegal supply of drugs is that they can expect officers at their door very soon," Inspector Irving said.
Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said drugs "cause untold harm to our towns and villages and the communities that live there".
"I promised when elected that we would tackle this scourge, and this is what you are now seeing in action. It is right and proper that the police pro-actively target traffickers and dealers to reduce the harm caused in our county," Mr Allen said.
"This is why my office has provided £80,000 to Cumbria Police to assist with the execution of these days of action to tackle drugs," he said.
"I attended the warrant at Penrith and was pleased to see how professionally and efficiently the officers dealt with the situation," Mr Allen said.
"The message is very clear: if you are going to bring drugs into our communities, we are going to stop you, and you will face consequences. We have a zero-tolerance policy in respect of drug dealing in Cumbria," he said.
"I would urge residents to continue to report any suspected drug dealing to the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency," Mr Allen said.
"Your reports help the police build evidence. You may not see action after one report, but rest assured that the police are working behind the scenes to ensure criminals are taken off our streets and stay out of our communities," he said.