An operation to prevent and disrupt criminal activity across the Isle of Wight has led to a number of drug seizures and arrests over the past 2 weeks.
Response and Patrol Police officers have made no less than 6 arrests and have seized a number of Class A, Class B and Class C drugs, as well as cash, vehicles, a knife, a knuckle duster and an air weapon.
In the early hours of 15th February, officers stopped and searched a 20-year-old man from Ryde in St Johns Road, Wroxall. He surrendered a small amount of white powder, confirmed to be MDMA. After being interviewed by officers, he was given a conditional caution whereby he agreed to attend a drug diversion course and pay a £65 fine.
On the evening of 15th February, officers stopped an Audi A5 on Medina Road, Cowes. Officers seized cash and an air weapon. The driver, a 20-year-old man from Cowes, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, driving whilst unfit through drugs, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and possessing criminal property. He was released from custody but remains under investigation while enquiries continue.
On 25th February, officers stopped and searched 4 males in Medina Road, Cowes. Officers seized a knuckle duster and an 18-year-old man from Cowes was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. He admitted the offence in interview and was given a conditional caution whereby he agreed to complete a drug diversion course.
Late on the evening of 26th February, officers stopped and searched a group of men in Castle Street, Ryde and seized a quantity of testosterone, which is a Class C drug.
In Adelaide Place, Ryde, officers arrested 2 17-year-old boys on Tuesday afternoon (3rd March). 1 was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs and possession of a knife in a public place, and the other on suspicion of possessing a Class B drug and obstructing/resisting a police officer in the execution of their duty. Both were released from custody but remain under investigation while enquiries continue.
Yesterday morning (4th March) officers located a cultivation of cannabis at an address in Brook Close, Ryde and a number of plants were seized. A 49-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of a Class B drug. They were released from custody but remain under investigation while enquiries continue.
Sergeant Charlie Winchester, who has been leading the operation, said:
“This is an operation undertaken by C Shift response team and was set up approximately two weeks ago to run alongside our daily response and patrol commitments.
“The intention is to prevent and disrupt criminal activity on the Isle of Wight by ethically using powers available to us under stop and search legislation, as well as seizure powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act”.
Do you have suspicions about drug-related activity ongoing in your neighbourhood? Report it to police on 101, or via the ‘Report’ tab on our website.
If you are a young person who is worried about being involved in the supply of drugs, you can contact a 24/7 service called Fearless who allow you to pass on information about a crime anonymously. You can also contact Childline on 0800 11 11 – they are a private and confidential service where you can talk to counsellors about anything that is worrying you.
Well done to the police. Hopefully the dealers and druggies will stop using the island as some kind of a druggie ghetto.
Magistrates will need a new Asbo pad.
None in Chale??
Good job to our police force! Thank you for taking this rubbish off our streets
Unfortunately as Arnie would say, I’ll be back. And they will, again again and again. Because the law is soft on pond life like this. How many more young children have to suffer because of these evil people. Like I said before,there is only one way to stop them,…..dead
Ok Hitler
Ha ha Hitler, well when these type of people effect your life ,and theres a good chance they will, dont expect any justice for yourself. These undesirable people get stronger in number and society gets weaker to punish them.
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▲ ▲ Criminals can’t Triforce
More low life on benefits
Oh for goodness sake, what an entire waste of time.
You could have had just as much an effect and save hundreds of hours of police time if you just put an ad online saying “Ooh, crime is very naughty so don’t do crime”.
Pathetic.
Until you actually do something that affects these oiks then they will continue their ways and laugh at the level of supposed ‘enforcement’.