Almost 100 arrested in South West drug and child exploitation sting
Operation Scorpion has seen five forces working together to safeguard vulnerable people
Last updated 4 hours ago
Nearly 100 people have been arrested across the South West, after five police forces worked together to tackle drugs and child criminal exploitation.
Officers from Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire forces targeted county lines activity under Operation Scorpion.
During a week of action, suspected dealers were arrested, vulnerable people safeguarded, and drugs and weapons seized.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP also joined officers on a warrant in Trowbridge on Wednesday 4 March to see how Wiltshire Police is tackling County Lines activity.
A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, and has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Across the South West:
- 59 people were safeguarded
- 92 people were arrested
- £54,915 cash was seized
- More than £446,000 worth of drugs were seized
- 29 weapons seized including a knuckleduster, two batons and 6 imitation firearms
In Wiltshire:
- 24 people were safeguarded
- 26 people were arrested
- 52 cuckooed addresses were visited – where criminals take over someone's home to use it as a base for crime
- £380,000 worth of drugs seized
- £22,500 in cash seized
- 10 weapons seized – including six imitation firearms
Assistant Chief Constable Liz Coles, from Wiltshire Police said: “Our mission is clear: keeping Wiltshire safe by removing harmful drugs, targeting suppliers, and disrupting county lines networks.
“Protecting vulnerable people—especially children and young adults exploited by these gangs—remains at the heart of our work. When children go missing, their risk increases, and close partnership working is vital to keeping them safe.
“We see the harm this criminality brings to our towns and villages. This work doesn’t end with one week of action, we will continue to take a robust, proactive approach.
“Our message is simple: Wiltshire and the South West is no place for drugs. We all have a role in raising awareness, reporting concerns, and preventing harm.”
Teams also worked with Police Cadets as part of Hotel Watch, helping to raise awareness among hotel staff of how to spot signs of exploitation, including child sexual exploitation, modern slavery, other criminal activity, and the actions to take if they suspect something is happening on their premises.
Of the 26 hotels visited, 11 failed the checks.
Wiltshire Police also worked with schools to test vapes - and of the 32 tested, two were found to contain THC and Spice.
Other results for areas in the South West are as follows.
In Devon & Cornwall:
- 17 people were safeguarded
- 17 people were arrested
- 14 cuckooed addresses were visited
- 1.5g of crack seized
- 0.15g heroin seized
- 2239.8g cocaine seized
- 50g of cannabis resin seized
- £12,013 in cash seized
- 7 weapons seized – including 4 air weapons, 1 knuckleduster and 1 telescopic baton
In Dorset:
- 17 people were safeguarded
- 47 people were arrested
- At least 15 cuckooed addresses were visited – where criminals take over someone's home to use it as a base for crime
- 2.47g of heroin seized
- At least £30,000 worth of cocaine seized
- 99g of cannabis seized
- £13,402.85 in cash seized
- 11 weapons seized – including bladed objects, a pava spray and a crossbow
- 18 warrants executed with support from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and Trading Standards
In Gloucestershire:
- 1 person was safeguarded
- 2 people were arrested
- £37,000 worth of cocaine seized
- £7,000 in cash seized
- 3 weapons seized – including an extendable baton
Detective Chief Superintendent Sheon Sturland of Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Keeping communities in Devon and Cornwall safe by seizing harmful drugs, targeting suppliers, and disrupting county lines networks is our clear mission.
“Protecting vulnerable people exploited by criminals, especially children and young adults, remains at the heart of our work. If children go missing it’s a key indicator of child criminal exploitation, and the risk to them increases.
“We see the harm that drug related criminality brings to our communities, and so this work doesn’t end with one week of action. We will continue to take a robust, proactive approach to disrupting drug supply and tackling associated anti-social behaviour and exploitation..
“Devon and Cornwall and the wider South West is no place for drugs. You can help us and our partner agencies by reporting any suspicions or concerns..”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I would like to thank members of the public who continue to report drug crime either via the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. We don’t tolerate drugs in our region.
“Alongside the efforts of the police to disrupt organised criminal groups we also need to tackle the root causes of drug use. That’s why I am such an advocate of organisations that work to deliver effective treatment for those battling drug addiction and protect young people from exploitation. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with drug abuse, or knows someone who is, to reach out for support.”