Major Drugs Raid Operation sees Seven Arrested in Portsmouth

Police tackling drug dealing and drug-related violence in Portsmouth carried out two warrants in Elm Grove, Southsea, this evening (March 24) and made 5 arrests, following an investigation into illegal drugs as part of the Operation Fortress campaign. The five males arrested are aged between 19 and 26 year and from Portsmouth. All have been bailed. As a result of high visibility police activity 2 further arrests were made in Crabbe Court, Southsea. Two 17 year old males from London were arrested for being concerned in the supply of drugs. They remain in custody. Inspector Phil Lamb who was in charge of the operation said: “Today’s drugs warrants and proactive activity are part of our ongoing work to tackle drug dealing in our community and to keep those who may be vulnerable, safe; I hope this provides reassurance to our local residents that we will continue to disrupt drug dealers’ activities and restrict the supply of drugs and reduce demand for them in Portsmouth.” Chief Inspector Jim Pegler, District Commander, added: “Drug dealing often has violence and anti-social behaviour associated with it. The Police officers and staff who serve Portsmouth will continue to work hard at making the city a hostile place for drug dealers.” Operation Fortress is a campaign to reduce the harm of drug-related violence. One of the aims is to restrict the supply of class A drugs and officers are keen to hear from anyone who is concerned about illegal drugs or drug-related crime in their neighbourhood. The things to look out for are as follows: – A sudden increase in visitors to a house or flat and people only staying for a very short time – Short exchanges between small groups of people at or close to a flat or house – Residents leaving a flat or house on numerous occasions throughout the day and returning a short time later – People loitering in an area and using their mobile phones frequently – New-looking or hire cars parked outside a house or flat that wouldn’t normally be there, and being driven by somebody that you wouldn’t normally associate with driving that style of car. If you have any concerns, call police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. You can also email us in confidence: [email protected] If you don’t want to speak to the police directly, you can call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.