Police arrested eight people in an operation last night to tackle the supply of heroin and crack cocaine in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
A spokesman for Avon & Somerset Police said that five people remained in police custody today (Thursday) after more than 50 officers searched a number of homes in the Staple Hill, Fishponds and Kingswood areas yesterday evening, seizing drugs with a street value of £5,000.
DS Jason Hulbert, who co-ordinated the operation, said: “This operation involved more than 50 officers from the Bristol and South Gloucestershire policing areas searching nine addresses, arresting eight people and seizing what we believe to be heroin and crack cocaine.
“It’s the culmination of months of planning and involved neighbourhood teams from Kingswood and Fishponds as well as specialist units including intelligence, search teams, drug dogs and the officers who target suspects to tackle their offending.”
Officers went door-to-door in the areas affected by the police activity to tell local people what we were doing.
All eight suspects were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.
Two men, both aged 34, and a 31-year-old woman were later released on police bail, but police were today still questioning three men aged 62, 51 and 24 and two women aged 26 and 27.
DS Hulbert said drug crime could affect communities in many ways, including anti-social behaviour and nuisance from dealing and associated crimes such as burglary and theft.
He said: “We can only take this sort of action if we have enough information to give the court to obtain warrants. We welcome any information from the community who can contact their neighbourhood team, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers never ask your name or trace your call.”
