Police seized suspected Class A drugs and cash in searches of homes in Bath under the Misuse of Drugs Act yesterday (Friday 10th June) as part of an ongoing investigation into drug crime in the city.
Five people from Bath and a man from London were arrested after officers recovered substances believed to be controlled drugs from three addresses just off the London Road.
Two 25-year-old men and a woman aged 32 were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs after officers searched a flat and seized suspected cocaine and a quantity of cash.
A 51-year-old man was arrested from a second address on suspicion of possessing cannabis after green vegetable matter was found.
Two women aged 32 and 48 were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs after suspected cocaine was seized from a third home. A fourth address was searched but nothing was found.
More than 20 officers, including the neighbourhood team, specialist search officers and a dog handler with Marley the drug dog were involved in the operation.
Drug dog Marley and PS Steve Davey with evidence from the raid
Three homes were searched simultaneously at 6am with a fourth warrant carried out later in the morning.
Bath and North East Somerset Area Commander Chief Inspector Kevin Thatcher said: “This is part of an ongoing operation in relation to drug dealing in the city. We have spent a long time gathering intelligence leading up to this day of action.”
Neighbourhood Inspector Adrian Fallows added: “Having drug dealing in the community takes its toll on residents. It can cause issues including anti-social behaviour, with people coming and going at all hours, as well as other crime.
“We can only take this sort of action if local people keep talking to us. If you have any information or concerns about drug crime, please get in touch with the neighbourhood team through our online form www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101.
Left: A police van on the way to the raid at 6am. Right: Police vehicles parked up just off the London Road.
“Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers www.crimestoppers-uk.org on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.”
Insp Fallows continued: “We’re concerned that vulnerable people in the community may have their lives ruined by criminals involved in drug dealing, on top of the impact on other residents.
“We continue to work closely with housing providers in Bath to make sure our communities are safe and take action against those suspected of crime.”
Andrew Snee, Head of Compliance & Support at housing provider Curo, said: “We’ve been working closely with the police on this joint operation.
“At Curo we want all our customers to enjoy living in safe and popular neighbourhoods and we’ll always take action with our partners to clamp down on illegal activity like this.”
