Six arrested for drug offences in Hampshire

Six people have been arrested this morning (5/5) as part of an investigation into the supply of class A and class B drugs by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), assisted by Hampshire Constabulary.

This operation is linked to Operation Venetic with SEROCU and the south east police forces continuing to work in partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and other law enforcement agencies; both in the UK and overseas.

Arrests were conducted in:

• Hedge End Walk and James Road in Havant;
• Victory Avenue and Beaulieu Court in Waterlooville.
• Tankerton Close in Portsmouth
• Chichester Avenue on Hayling Island

A 24-year-old woman and five men; a 22-year-old, a 23-year-old, a 27-year-old, 28-year-old, and a 34-year-old were all arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A and class B drugs, and on suspicion of money laundering.

Det Insp Clair Trueman from SEROCU said: “The arrests today were part of the ongoing investigation into the supply of drugs within the South East region.

“Since Spring 2020, law enforcement has significantly disrupted and dismantled numerous crime groups across the UK. This is the broadest and deepest UK operation into serious and organised crime to date, and co-ordinated activity continues.

“The operation was as a result of the takedown of encrypted communications platform EncroChat leading to a massive breakthrough in the fight against serious and organised crime.

“The arrests show that our activities continue and we will seek opportunities to disrupt organised crime groups operating within the South East region.”

EncroChat offered users a secure mobile phone instant messaging service. The takedown of the platform allowed police intervention to mitigate a number of dangers such as threats to life and murder conspiracies. It led to a vast seizure of dangerous firearms and illicit drugs.

All persons arrested, remain in police custody.