TWO men have been charged as part of a police operation cracking down on suspected county lines drug dealers in Dorset.

It comes after suspected class A drugs were seized and two men arrested at an address in Boscombe on Monday, May 16.

The men, aged 20 and from London, have both been charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

They are due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 18.

The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Neighbourhood Enforcement Team (NET) worked with specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police to progress the investigation.

Inspector Nick Lee, of the NET, said: “This was a fast-paced investigation, which saw us work with the Metropolitan Police to build a case to put forward to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges in the early hours of Wednesday 18 May 2022.

"This case highlights the outstanding work neighbourhood teams are carrying out in our communities.

“We work in collaboration with other forces to disrupt the efforts of those suspected of being involved in county lines drugs operations and will relentlessly pursue all reports of criminality.

“I would encourage any members of the community to report their concerns to Dorset Police so we can investigate and take action.”

Operation Viper sees a dedicated team of police working alongside local neighbourhood policing teams to use intelligence and enforcement to tackle suspected county lines gangs and make the region a hostile place for those intent on dealing drugs and bringing misery on communities.

The initiative aims to provide "visibility, proactive enforcement and community engagement, as well as a dedicated County Lines Task Force, to disrupt incoming suspected drug networks".

Police said it will also feed into the regional intelligence picture to prevent harm and drugs coming into the county from other cities around the country.

To report suspected drug dealing in your community,  contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, please dial 999.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

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