Seven arrested in Portsmouth drugs raid

Police arrested seven men after a drugs swoop in Southsea.

Hampshire Constabulary said officers tackling drug dealing and drug-related violence in Portsmouth carried out two warrants in Elm Grove, Southsea, last night following an investigation into illegal drugs as part of the Operation Fortress campaign.

Five men aged between 19 and 26 year and from Portsmouth were arrested at the premises. All have been bailed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Police then made two further arrests were made in Crabbe Court, Southsea.

Two 17 year old males from London were held for being concerned in the supply of drugs. They remain in custody.

Inspector Phil Lamb said: “Today’s drugs warrants and proactive activity are part of our ongoing work to tackle drug dealing in our community and to keep those who may be vulnerable, safe; I hope this provides reassurance to our local residents that we will continue to disrupt drug dealers’ activities and restrict the supply of drugs and reduce demand for them in Portsmouth.”

Chief Inspector Jim Pegler, District Commander, added: “Drug dealing often has violence and anti-social behaviour associated with it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The police officers and staff who serve Portsmouth will continue to work hard at making the city a hostile place for drug dealers.”

Operation Fortress is a campaign to reduce the harm of drug-related violence. One of the aims is to restrict the supply of class A drugs and officers are keen to hear from anyone who is concerned about illegal drugs or drug-related crime in their neighbourhood.

Polic say the things to look out for are:

- A sudden increase in visitors to a house or flat and people only staying for a very short time

- Short exchanges between small groups of people at or close to a flat or house

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

- Residents leaving a flat or house on numerous occasions throughout the day and returning a short time later

- People loitering in an area and using their mobile phones frequently

- New-looking or hire cars parked outside a house or flat that wouldn’t normally be there, and being driven by somebody that you wouldn’t normally associate with driving that style of car.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: ‘If you have any concerns, call police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.

‘You can also email us in confidence: [email protected]

‘If you don’t want to speak to the police directly, you can call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.’