Fifteen charged In Warwickshire Police’s largest drugs investigation

Officers from the force’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit (Socu) yesterday (Tuesday) arrested and charged 15 people across the country as part of its Operation Damascus - an investigation into importing drugs into the UK.

Raids also took place in Bulkington, Snitterfield, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, Stratford,Wolston, Coventry, Birmingham,

Stoney Stanton in Leicestershire, Chelmsford in Essex, Tonbridge in Kent, and Capel in Sussex.

Those arrested and charged overnight with drugs related offences appeared at a special hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday).

An estimated £50,000 in cash was seized as well as some small amounts of what are believed to be drugs, while mobile phones and computers were seized.

The operation involved more than 220 officers from eight forces and was supported by all four West Midlands forces through the Regional Organised Crime Unit, in particular Warwickshire’s alliance partners West Mercia Police.

Det Chief Insp Ally Wright, head of Warwickshire Socu, said: “This was a major feat of organisation that needed co-ordinated warrants executed across central and southern England.

“It is the largest drugs investigation ever undertaken by Warwickshire Police and serves to show we will take all necessary steps to protect our communities from the harm caused by illegal drugs.

“In particular we have enjoyed fantastic support from West Mercia Police, an excellent example of the alliance between the two forces working well at many levels.

“I would like to place on record my thanks and gratitude for the assistance given by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency and the South East and West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Units.

“As everyone can imagine, these arrests and charges are not the end of the process but it opens up a new phase in our investigation as we work with the CPS towards securing convictions.”

Since 2007, Operation Damascus has led to 24 people being convicted for drug trafficking offences as well as the seizure of three tonnes of cannabis, 200kg of amphetamines, £130,000 in cash and five firearms.

The operation has identified further suspects and the investigation has widened.

In 2008, Socu officers went to Spain to work with police who were also investigating links to those convicted in Operation Damascus.

Information obtained through the Spanish authorities was passed to Socu and the painstaking and thorough examination of the intelligence led to yesterday’s arrests.

The details of the 15 charged will be published separately.

The hearing was still ongoing at the time of publication.