A police raid on a suspected ‘drug den’ in Royal Wootton Bassett uncovered a large hunting knife and led to at least one arrest as part of a wider crackdown on organised crime.
Wiltshire Police executed a warrant at a property on Station Road this morning (Friday), seizing drugs, weapons, and cash in an operation targeting criminal gangs. A video released by the force captured officers entering the property, arresting a man, and discovering a room littered with rubbish. A serrated hunting knife was also found among the debris.
Operation Scorpion and Operation Mille
The raid formed part of Operation Scorpion and Operation Mille, two national efforts aimed at dismantling organised criminal groups involved in the drug trade.
Detective Sergeant Jim Issac emphasized the operation’s significance:
“We are acting on intelligence from the community and working to disrupt criminals involved in drug dealing and other anti-social crime.”
These efforts align with a broader regional and national initiative to disrupt major cannabis grows, limit violence and exploitation, and tackle organised crime networks across England and Wales.
Seizures and Arrests
The latest phase of Operation Scorpion has resulted in over 200 arrests and the seizure of drugs valued at more than £45 million. Across the South West, police have recovered large quantities of cannabis plants, cocaine, and weapons.
In Wiltshire alone, police reported:
- Eight arrests
- Six warrants executed
- £12,000 in cash seized
- One knife recovered
- 246 grams of cocaine and 101 grams of cannabis seized
Police and Crime Commissioner’s Response
Wiltshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper highlighted the importance of the operation:
“The goal of operations like Op Scorpion and Op Mille is to sustain our momentum against organised criminal gangs and the illegal drug trade. This also helps prevent modern slavery, human trafficking, and the anti-social behaviour that often follows drug-related crime.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Phillip Wilkinson reinforced the force’s stance:
“Operation Scorpion demonstrates a borderless approach to policing, ensuring drug crime is tackled across urban and rural areas alike. The message is clear – Wiltshire and the South West is no place for drugs.”
Safeguarding and Prevention Efforts
The Spot the Signs, Stop the Crime campaign, a joint initiative between police and community organisations, continues to educate young people and parents about the dangers of child criminal exploitation. A second phase of the campaign has expanded its outreach via online and offline platforms to warn about the risks of drug-related violence and exploitation.
The Check it Out youth zone section on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website now offers additional support and guidance for young people vulnerable to criminal networks.
A Continuing Crackdown
The South West’s five police forces—Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Avon & Somerset, and Gloucestershire—continue to collaborate in targeting drug crime through coordinated enforcement and intelligence-sharing. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to making Wiltshire and the wider region hostile to organised crime networks.
As investigations continue, officers urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.
