Drugs seized in a week of raids in the Matlock area

Police seized suspected drugs including cocaine, crack cocaine and cannabis during a week of strikes in the Matlock area.

Operation Rand, led by Matlock Safer Neighbourhood Team, was a series of warrants and searches cracking down on the production and dealing of drugs in the local area.

Based on intelligence provided by members of the public, the strike week led to a number of arrests and seizures of suspected drugs.

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Class A substances including suspected crack cocaine were found after a car was stopped by police, while a large suspected cannabis farm was discovered in a property in Two Dales.

The strike week culminated in a night time operation in and around pubs and bars in Matlock on Friday, June 7, during which a specially trained drugs dog helped officers detect anyone in possession of illegal substances.

Sergeant Nick Reason, who is in charge of Matlock SNT, said: “Illegal drugs, from cannabis to crack cocaine, are a blight on our community and this operation was just one part of our ongoing campaign against them.

“We receive a great deal of intelligence from members of the public and, as this strike week shows, we do act on what we hear.

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“During the week, we seized a large number of suspected drugs including cocaine and cannabis, which is a great result.

“People sometimes dismiss cannabis as a problem but it plays a huge part in the wider drugs problem, funding other drugs activity and attracting other crime to your doorstep.

“Protecting visitors and residents of Matlock from this kind of activity is our top priority and this operation has helped us disrupt the drugs market in our neighbourhood.”

Officers were joined by staff from the Drugs Action Team, which offers support and advice to anyone involved in drugs activity.

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The results of Operation Rand, which ran from Monday, June 3 to the early hours of Saturday, June 8, included:

A 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply after a drugs warrant was executed at a house in Dale Road, Matlock, at about 10.45am on Tuesday, June 4. A large quantity of suspected cannabis was found inside. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A drugs warrant was carried out at a property in Overdale, Matlock, at 10am on Wednesday, June 5. A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a class B controlled drug after a small amount of cannabis was found in the house. He was bailed pending further enquiries.

At 10am on Thursday, June 6, officers executed a warrant at a house in Knabb Road, Two Dales, Matlock, and found a large suspected cannabis grow inside, with about 60 plants seized. A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cannabis production with intent to supply.

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Two women aged 36 and 37 were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply after police stopped a car in Old Hackney Lane, Matlock. A house in Smedley Street, Matlock was subsequently searched and a large amount of suspected cocaine and suspected crack cocaine were found inside, along with a large amount of cash. That warrant took place at about 4.30pm on Thursday, June 6.

In total, 10 properties were searched during the operation, four cars were seized, numerous stop-searches were carried out and five pubs were visited by police and the passive drugs dog on the Friday night.

Suspected cannabis was seized from one pub, while an amount of suspected cocaine was found on another person in Hall Leys Park.

Sgt Reason added: “Our focus on drugs doesn’t end with this operation and we still want people to come to us with information.

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“Anything you may know or suspect helps us build a picture of drugs activity in our area.

“The message is very simple – we won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour and will crack down on this criminal activity.”

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