Proactive drug-related warrants in Holbury result in drugs, cash and offensive weapons being seized

Class A and Class B drugs, cash and offensive weapons were seized from two properties following the latest crackdown on drug-related harm in the New Forest.

Five simultaneous proactive warrants were carried out at around 2.30pm yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, September 12) in the Holbury area in response to information disclosed to us by the public in relation to drug-related activity in the community.

Officers from the newly launched Neighbourhood Enforcement Team – who are designated to assist local officers in tackling crime hotspots and priority offenders – supported our Priority Crime Team and local neighbourhood policing officers in targeting addresses on Foxcroft Drive and Crawte Avenue in Holbury.

During the searches of the two properties, officers located quantities of suspected Class A drugs, Class B drugs, cash, drug-related paraphernalia along with a number of offensive weapons were located and seized.

A number of mobile devices – including phones and a laptop – were also seized for evidential purposes.

As part of the warrants, a caravan and two vehicles linked to the addresses were also searched – with a quantity of Class B drugs, an offensive weapon and cash seized.

No arrests have been made at this time, but enquiries remain ongoing as part of our wider investigation.

Police Sergeant Andy Gwyer, said: “Our enforcement action is intelligence-led and yesterday’s proactive action was a direct result of information that we had received from local residents concerned around drug-related activity and the associated harm that this can bring to the community.

“Officers have seized drugs, drug-related paraphernalia and offensive weapons during our searches – so while we have not yet arrested anyone in relation to these offences, what it does mean is that we have severely disrupted their activity with the hope that this will play a significant role in reducing drug-related harm in the local community.

“We rely on information being reported into us by the local community; as this helps us to build up a rich picture of what is happening in the local area and allows us to take swift and robust action and disrupt this type of activity. It really does make the different to where we deploy our resources and allows us to take action like we did yesterday.”

If you have any concerns about drug-related activity in your community, please do report it directly to police via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website or by calling 101.