People involved with the production and supply of drugs are not welcome in Hampshire. That’s the message from Hampshire Constabulary as they clamp down on dealers in our area.
Officers in Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester have been acting on intelligence to target people and premises believed to be connected to drug use or supply.
Since the beginning of this year, a number of people have been arrested and charged with a range of offences in connection with illegal drugs activity.
In Andover, 22-year-old Abubakar Guthmy from London, has been charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. The arrest came after a stop-check of a vehicle he was driving in the Andover area. He is due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on 5th February.
In Basingstoke, a 44-year-old local woman has been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply Class B drugs and permitting the use of a premises for the supply of Class B drugs. A 40-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to produce Class B drugs. Both have been bailed until April 8 pending further enquiries.
These arrests came as a result of information received by officers about suspicious activity at a house in the Oakridge area of the town.
Officers also carried out a search warrant at a house in Quilter Road, Brighton Hill. A 38-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man, both from Basingstoke, were cautioned for possession of a Class B drug.
In a separate incident, a 27-year-old man was arrested in South Ham. Brendan Gurski from London, has been charged with two counts of possession of Class A drugs with intent He is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates Court today (16th January).
In Winchester, following a stop check of a vehicle in the city, a 24-year-old man was arrested and charged. Joseph Adebayo from London was charged with possession of criminal property and two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates Court today (January 16).
Officers also arrested two 20-year-old men – one from London and one from Winchester – on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. One of the men, from Winchester, was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class B drug. Both have been bailed until April 21, pending further enquiries.
All of these arrests come as part of Operation Fortress – a campaign mounted by police and other agencies 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.
As we posted on 1st January, Hampshire POlice have advised he things to look out for are as follows:
- 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
- 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.
If you have any concerns, call police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.
Brilliant! All I can say to Hampshire Police is that ownership of a new and / or flash car outside a not so flash house, in a not so flash area could indicate that the individual in question earns money from illegal activities. Try to remember, they could also be fraudster’s, money lender’s, professional thief’s etc – not just drug dealers. On the other hand, they might be completely honest hard working people for who having a nice car is more of a priority! Quite honestly, most professional organised criminals will realise the stupidity of making themselves stand out! What this means is that the good old arm of the law keep on nabbing the street dealers, and rarely the Mr Big’s! Street dealers are very replaceable; yes, you’re locking criminal’s away but they will nearly always be very quickly replaced.