Last week’s drugs raids in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge netted £5,000 of drugs and £7,000 of cash, police said on Friday (March 11th).
As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com last week, five people were arrested as police executed search warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act following information from the local community.
The warrants were part of the district’s on-going Operation Globe, a pro-active series of warrants aimed at targeting drug dealing activities, related anti-social behaviour and other crime.
Following a search of a property in Market Street, Highbridge during the first warrant, officers seized large amount of cash – approximately £2,500, half a bin bag full of flowering cannabis heads, one ounce of cocaine and various imitation firearms including hand guns, shot guns and gas powered weapons. Swords, knives and a set of nun chucks were also recovered.
Three men found at the property were arrested at the scene for possession of cannabis. They were later bailed. The owner of the house and a tenant were later arrested for possession with intent to supply after appearing at Burnham-On-Sea police station. They have also been bailed pending further enquiries and forensic tests.
A further search warrant was executed later in the evening at an address on the seafront in Burnham-On-Sea.
Officers found a significant amount of cannabis and approximately £4,500 of cash. Both the drugs and the cash are being forensically tested as part of the investigation. A local man has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and is currently on bail.
Officers have conducted over 20 warrants across Bridgwater and Burnham over the past six weeks and over 18 warrants in Taunton that resulted in over 31 arrests.
PC Ryan Dinham (pictured above) told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Drug dealing in our town will not be tolerated. Deal in our town and we will get to know about it and you can expect us at your door at any time of the week, day or night. I would like to thank the local community for their continued support in being our eyes and ears.”
Sergeant Ian Kennett added: “At a very conservative estimate, we have taken well over £5,000 worth of drugs and £7,000 drug related cash off our streets as a result of these warrants, together with a number of dangerous weapons.”
“We are determined to make our streets safer and would encourage the public to keep talking to us, give us information about any suspected criminal activity within your community.”
And Inspector Roger Tolley said: “The public should be reassured by proactive operations such as this. Whilst drug dealing and related crime does impact on the wider local community, it is undertaken by a minority and we are working hard with our partners to tackle it robustly and effectively. Burnham and the surrounding area is a safe place, and crime and ASB has been falling.”
If the public wish to provide information to the police regarding criminal activity in their area, they can do so by visiting Burnham police station, calling 0845 456 7000 or reporting it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If members of the public would like to speak to someone about a drug-related issue or would like help and advice with a drug problem they can contact ‘Talk to Frank’ on 0800 77 66 00 or Turning Point Somerset on 01823 328 463.
