Cumbria Police seize £14 million in drugs during crackdown on organised crime
Operation Alliance targets criminals across the county
Cumbria Police removed over £14 million worth of drugs from the streets last year in a forcewide effort targeting serious and organised crime.
High-harm substances such as heroin, cocaine, and amphetamine were confiscated, along with industrial-sized cannabis farms being shut down.
Officers further impacted criminals' finances, detaining cash and freezing accounts totaling over £2.7 million.
These actions are part of Operation Alliance, Cumbria Police's dedicated initiative against organised crime throughout the region.
Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hussey emphasized the achievements:
“The last year has seen organised criminals jailed, huge amounts of drugs taken out of circulation, and the disruption and dismantling of numerous criminal enterprises."
Operation Alliance spans all individual operations aimed at preventing or disrupting criminal activities within organised crime groups.
Drugs seized during the year included £2.1 million worth of cannabis, £10.4 million of cocaine, and £200,000 of heroin.
Detectives and specialist units carried out drug warrants and stop-searches throughout the year, resulting in arrests, prosecutions, and safeguarding measures for at-risk individuals.
The operation benefits from collaborations with various law enforcement and partner agencies, but public assistance remains vital.
Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner David Allen expressed appreciation for the efforts, highlighting drugs' destructive impact on lives and communities.
Allen urges the public to report suspicious activities, assuring ongoing work behind the scenes and a commitment to stopping drug-related harm in communities.
This initiative is set to continue into 2026, aiming to maintain safety across Cumbria.