SMASHING glass and shouts of ‘police, police, police’ rang out in a quiet Poole street as officers burst through the doors of three homes.
Specialist officers used crowbars and power tools to force their way into properties and catch the occupants by surprise.
During one of these raids in Hamworthy, they seized a combination of class A and B drugs.
They also confiscated a suspected air rifle.
The raids formed part of a wider week-long national effort to smash drug gangs, with the county force recovering more than £93,000 worth of drugs.
Sergeant Christopher Lee, of the Poole neighbourhood policing team, said the raid, on October 12, had been a success and the force would be ‘relentless’ in pursuing drug dealers.
“Today has been a part of Op Scorpion, which is a part of Dorset Police’s response to drug and criminality, and the dealing of drugs,” Sergeant Lee said.
“We will leave no stone unturned when we are trying to locate the people involved in criminality.
“It’s a plea for the public to pass over any intel they can.
“It may seem a small piece to you, or insignificant, but please keep that information coming to us because without that we can’t lead operations like this and take dangerous drugs off the streets and lead prosecutions.”
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick was also at the raid.
He urged the public to report any drug dealing to the police, using the force’s new intelligence reporting portal.
“This is the sixth iteration of Operation Scorpion,” PCC Sidwick said.
“This morning, we’re here doing a drug warrant in this residential street, hoping that we have caught some drug dealers and indeed, found some drugs.
“With every iteration of Op Scorpion, we do multiple warrants. The last one, for example, Dorset did the most warrants in the South West, taking the most cannabis plants off the streets.
“It’s something we will continue to do because this is about keeping the people of Dorset safe.”
Addressing those would-be drug dealers thinking of coming to Dorset, PCC Sidwick said: “Let’s be very clear.
“Dorset Police will take your drugs, take your money and take your liberty.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article