Operation Scorpion delivers major blow to drug crime across South West

A powerful message has been delivered across the South West: there is no place for drugs in the region. As part of the 12th iteration of Operation Scorpion, police forces across the South West, working in partnership with Police and Crime Commissioners, have seized large quantities of illegal drugs and cash, confiscated weapons, and made multiple arrests.

The week-long initiative, which ran from June 23 to 29, was coordinated with National County Lines Intensification Week and focused on dismantling drug networks, protecting vulnerable individuals, and educating the public and key sectors on how to identify and report exploitation.

In Devon and Cornwall alone, the operation led to:

• 41 arrests

• £57,466 in cash seized

• Seizures including 85g of crack cocaine, 194.4g of heroin, 64kg of cocaine, 11.6kg of cannabis resin, and 0.5kg of ketamine

• 15 individuals safeguarded

• 11 weapons seized, including hunting knives, firearms, a stun gun, and pepper spray

Across the wider South West region, police forces reported:

• 106 arrests

• Seizure of 65.7kg of cocaine, 274g of crack cocaine, 13.9kg of cannabis, and 455g of heroin

• £119,326 in cash recovered

• 38 individuals safeguarded

• 29 suspected county lines operations dismantled

• 17 vehicles confiscated, including six e-bikes

• 100 mobile phones and 26 weapons seized

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, joined neighbourhood officers and undercover British Transport Police at Torquay Railway Station during the operation, targeting those using public transport to move drugs. Police sniffer dogs helped identify potential drug couriers while the strong police presence reassured the public.

“The unequivocal message to drug dealers and others engaged in illegal drug activity [is] that the South West is no place for drugs,” said Commissioner Hernandez.
“Operation Scorpion demonstrates very clearly the unstinting enforcement work that goes on to close down county lines and to disrupt other drug related crime. This helps us to protect those who are being exploited and to relieve the misery that people tell me they are suffering due to drug dealing and drug abuse.
“I’d also like to thank the public who have come forward with information which is invaluable to helping the police focus their resources where it’s needed. We particularly urge the public to let us know if they spot the signs that a young person might be exploited, perhaps into carrying drugs. Please look closer and if you have intelligence around suspected drug activity in your community, or you think someone is being exploited, please report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.”

As part of a broader approach, officers also engaged with hotels, taxis, private hire firms, and postal services to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation. Simultaneously, outreach and education campaigns in schools addressed the growing concern over illegal vapes and their role in drawing young people into criminal activity.

Jim Colwell, Deputy Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police, praised the operation’s impact.
“Our goals during Operation Scorpion 12 were to protect young and vulnerable people from the dual harms of illegal drugs activity. Illegal drugs can do great physical and psychological harm, and the criminal gangs associated with their supply have no qualms about who they exploit, coerce, threaten and harm to enable their activities,” he said.
“Devon & Cornwall Police has had a very successful Operation Scorpion and crackdown on county lines, and I’d like to thank all of our officers and staff, and our partners British Transport Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, for their huge efforts last week. They will continue this work day in, day out, all year round, in order to make the South West no place for drugs and to safeguard people from the effects of drug related crime.”

Members of the public who suspect illegal drug activity are urged to report it via 101 or online at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk. For emergencies or if someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crimestoppers at crimestoppers-uk.org or 0800 555 111.

The Children’s Society is also encouraging the public to help spot the signs of child exploitation through its ongoing #LookCloser campaign. More details can be found at: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/lookcloser