HOME OFFICE News
Release (055/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 23 March 2007
Police forces that
have successfully smashed drug networks and put criminals behind
bars were honoured by the Home Office last night.
Police officers from Merseyside, Greater Manchester and
Humberside were congratulated for their exemplary work in cracking
down on drug dealers at the Annual Tackling Drug Supply Awards
2007 for police and drug intervention teams. The awards aim to
highlight best practice so that other police forces can go on to
emulate the success of these three police forces. Other police
forces and one drug treatment team from around the country have
been commended for their sterling work.
The Home Office gives awards to those forces that have
successfully tackled street level dealing, recovered drug
dealers' assets, linked up effectively with drug treatment
teams to cut drug related crime and thwarted drug distribution.
The achievements include:
* in Liverpool, recovering 55 kilos of illegal drugs worth almost
£3 million and securing 21 drug convictions totalling over 200 years;
* in the West Midlands, seizing £500,000 of drug dealers'
assets and making 79 arrests;
* in Humberside, increasing the number of offenders brought to
justice so that 153 drug dealers were sentenced to a total of 151
years; and
* in Greater Manchester, arresting and charging 24 individuals
with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:
"I congratulate the police forces for their excellent work
in tackling drug supply. I recognise there are no quick fixes but
it is through the hard work of intelligence led operations that
drug networks are broken. This is a vital part of our strategy
that also tackles the harm caused by drugs through education and treatment.
"Record investment in tackling drugs is making a real
difference to people's lives. Tough laws, combined with
record numbers of people in drug treatment and unparalleled sums
in drug education, have driven down drug related crime.
"I hope other police forces will find inspiration in the
enforcement successes highlighted today."
Association of Chief Police Officers Chair of Drugs, Chief
Constable Tim Hollis, said:
"The robust policing of criminal drugs markets is essential
if the overall Government Drug Strategy is to be delivered
effectively and if public confidence is to be maintained. No one
doubts the value of prevention and education as a means of
reducing harms across our communities or of providing treatment to
vulnerable people who become addicted to drugs. But this needs to
be complemented by effective, well targeted enforcement against
those who choose to make a living out of dealing in drugs.
"I am, therefore, delighted to be associated with the
celebration of policing success across the country - particularly
as my own force, Humberside, are one of the winners. I admire the
brave men and women who inevitably put themselves at risk in
tackling criminals dealing in drugs. The British police service
will continue to deliver results in tackling the complex problem
of drugs. We will also constantly seek better ways of working with
partners to deliver the wider, overall harm reduction to which we
all aspire."
The award winners are:
Best practice against street level dealing
Winner - Greater Manchester Police Operation Hercules.
Commended - West Midlands Police Operation Impact; and South
Yorkshire Police Operation Laxy.
Best practice against middle markets
Winner - Merseyside Police Operation Lima.
Commended - Greater Manchester Police Operation Baton; and Kent
Police Operation Gambler.
Best example of enforcement linkages with Drug Intervention Programme
Winner - Humberside Police Operation Galaxy.
Commended - Metropolitan Police (Westminster); and Merseyside
Police Operation Hawk.
Best practice in asset recovery
Winner - Merseyside Police Operation Copybook.
Commended - Cleveland Police Operation Tarvin; and Nottingham
Police Operation Long Island.
These awards are part of the Government's strategy to tackle
drugs and change lives. Since 1998, there has been a record level
of investment in tackling drugs: drugs misuse has fallen by 21 per
cent, the numbers entering treatment have increased by 113 per
cent and acquisitive crime - to which drug related crime makes a
significant contribution - is down by 16 per cent between 2004 and
2006. In addition, there have been record seizures of class A
drugs, recovery of drug related assets and disruption of organised
crime groups.
Notes to editors
1. The Tackling Drug Supply awards take place in Gateshead
tonight (Thursday). This is an annual event, designed to highlight
best practice among police forces in tackling drug supply to keep
drugs out of circulation.
2. For details of the successful operations contact the press
office on 020 7035 3835 or 07920 722 682 or relevant police press offices.
3. For more on the Government's drug strategy see http://www.drugs.gov.uk/.
4. Tackling Street Level Dealing: Greater Manchester Police won
this award for disrupting and dismantling organised crime groups,
arresting and charging 24 people in the process in Bolton.
Tackling Middle Markets: Merseyside Police won this award for
successfully targeting drug distribution networks, recovering 55
kilos of controlled drugs valued at £2,861,000.
Enforcement linkages with Drug Intervention Programme: Humberside
Police won this award for arresting 153 offenders who had been
involved in the supply of class A drugs and increasing the numbers
of people in drug treatment.
Best Practice in Asset Recovery: Merseyside Police dismantled
organised criminal gangs, seizing 1,665 kgs of cocaine worth £166 million.
Tackling Drug Supply Awards
Summary of winning nominations 2007
Tackling Street Level Dealing
Winner
Greater Manchester Police - Operation Hercules
Operation Hercules was focussed on disrupting and dismantling
organised crime groups engaged in street dealing in Bolton. The
culmination of the investigation / evidence gathering phase of the
operation was the co-ordinated simultaneous execution of 23 search
warrants. Twenty-four men arrested were all subsequently charged
with drug trafficking offences.
Key Achievements
* Twenty-four individuals were arrested and charged with
conspiracy to supply class A controlled drugs or being concerned
in the supply of controlled drugs (all presently remanded in custody).
* Five organised criminal gangs were dismantled.
* A total of 384 problematic drug users were prioritised for treatment.
* There was improved intelligence and evidence to continue other investigations.
* Working in partnership with the local community in Bolton to
effectively deal with organised crime groups involved in street dealing.
Tackling Street Level Dealing
Commended
South Yorkshire Police - Operation Laxy
The main focus of the operation was on the heroin market
blighting Barnsley town centre. The aim was to arrest those
involved in the distribution of the drugs, dismantle or at least
heavily disrupt their drug market and improve community life.
Key Achievements
* There were 38 convictions.
* Fear of crime fell by 43 per cent.
* Complaints of drug use in the area down by 70 per cent.
* Community confidence and support in the police has led to three
neighbourhood watch systems being set up.
Tackling Street Level Dealing
Commended
West Midlands Police - Operation Impact
Operation Impact was multi agency enforcement operation supported
by the local community, Drug Action Team and Birmingham City
Council. It started as a response to increased community unease
regarding disorder in the Sparkbrook and surrounding districts of Birmingham.
Key Achievements
* There were 85 search warrants executed within community of four
square miles with 79 arrests.
* Sixty-six offenders charged with supplying class A drugs.
* There was a 95 per cent conviction rate.
* £0.5 million pounds of assets are currently restrained.
Tackling Middle Markets
Winner
Merseyside Police - Operation Lima
Operation Lima was a proactive enforcement operation, which
targeted the drug importation and distribution networks of an
organised crime enterprise while also tackling its financial
infrastructure. The aims were to completely dismantle and disrupt
the criminal network and to identify and seize financial assets.
The operation was supported by National Criminal Intelligence
Service and there was a close working partnership with HM Revenue
and Customs, other police forces, and Dutch and Spanish Law
enforcement agencies.
Key Achievements
* Fifty-five kilos of controlled drugs valued at £2,861,000 were recovered.
* A total of £78,000 was seized using Proceeds of Crime Act legislation.
* There were 21 drug trafficking convictions amounting to a total
of 223.5 years imprisonment.
* Peripheral intelligence was made available to the Force
intelligence system, and to Metropolitan Police and Spanish authorities.
* The results analysis supported National Criminal Intelligence
Service (Serious Organised Crime Agency) gave an accurate picture
of inland distribution, importation and money laundering techniques.
* Relationships and knowledge were developed with partners: for
example, a Dutch surveillance officer gave evidence before
Liverpool Crown Court.
* The operation highlighted other organised crime groups in the
UK and Europe.
* A confiscation process was commenced: benefit £5,816,000 -
Assets traced to date: £1,020,000.
Tackling Middle Markets
Commended
Kent Police - Operation Gambler
Operation Gambler was based on a specific intention to deal with
a notable increase in acquisitive and drug crime in the Medway
Towns. An intelligence assessment during the operation highlighted
that drug dependency was driving acquisitive crime, particularly
burglary and shoplifting, in the area.
Key Achievements
* Gambler and associated operations resulted in the arrest of 64
people for offences linked to the supply of class A drugs. This
resulted in 155 charges for supplying or being concerned in the
supply of these drugs.
* Seven class A drug supply networks were totally dismantled
having incapacitated the large scale suppliers down to their
street dealers.
* There were two arrest days in Kent involving more than 500 officers.
* Assets suitable for recovery in respect of Proceeds of Crime
legislation amounted to £1 million.
* Operation Gambler spawned another operation - Sentry - which
resulted in the discovery of what was believed to be the largest
counterfeit DVD factory ever found in the UK and the arrest of two
males. The factory was estimated to be making £1.2 million monthly
and had been in operation for three years.
Tackling Middle Markets
Commended
Greater Manchester Police - Operation Baton
Operation Baton was developed from a previous Greater Manchester
Police Drug Unit operation (Operation Avalon). This initiative has
been an ongoing process to systematically dismantle organised
crime groups involved in drug trafficking.
Key Achievements
* The total amount of class A drugs recovered was almost 100
kilos with a street value of £10 million.
* There were 22 arrests.
* The current total sentencing amounts to 86 years and eight months.
* Five offenders are awaiting sentence and four await trial.
* Four firearms were recovered.
* Over £261,000 in cash and assets valued in excess of £2 million
have been seized.
* There was a significant disruption of the supply network.
Enforcement linkages with Drug Intervention Programme
Winner
Humberside Police - Operation Galaxy
During 2005 intelligence indicated that Grimsby was being
targeted by several organised crime groups who were intent on
establishing drugs markets. In consultation with the Crime and
Disorder Reduction Partnership Humberside Police initiated
Operation Galaxy. The arrest phases resulted in the arrest of 153
offenders who had been involved in the supply of class A. Drugs.
The offenders were charged with a total of 830 charges and to date
sentences of imprisonment totalling 151 years have been imposed.
The Drug Intervention Programme maintained a high profile
outreach presence during Operation Galaxy. As a consequence 169
people were treated, of which 128 were assessed and 100 remained
in treatment for at least 12 weeks. In all, 84 are still in treatment.
Key Achievements
* There was a 66 per cent reduction in robbery.
* Increase in the number of offences brought to justice for drugs
criminality - 830 charges in all.
* There was an increased number of people accessing drugs treatment.
Enforcement linkages with Drug Intervention Programme
Commended
Metropolitan Police and Westminster Drug Intervention Programme
A close partnership with the Metropolitan Police and the
'Tough Choice' roll-out has allowed Westminster Drug
Intervention Programme to target their most persistent offenders.
In addition, the partnership provides an opportunity to greatly
enhance information sharing and strategy with respect to targeting
the most prolific drug using offenders.
An impact study undertaken by Westminster Drug Intervention
Programme Demonstrated that offending rates dropped significantly
following engagement with the programme. This has proved an asset
in promoting the scheme both within and outside of the partnership
in terms of its effectiveness as a tool in crime reduction.
Key Achievements
* Since the introduction of Tough Choices Westminster has
consistently performed well, meeting or exceeding all targets and
receiving 'green' in all areas of its
"Red/Amber/Green" performance status.
* Westminster Drug Intervention Programme is currently exceeding
all other London boroughs in this respect.
Enforcement linkages with Drug Intervention Programme
Commended
Merseyside Police - Operation Hawk
Operation Hawk is an enforcement led initiative that tackles drug
supply while working with the Drug Intervention Programme to
engage with drug using offenders in the Criminal Justice System
and moving them into treatment.
Key Achievements:
* Over 200 warrants were executed and 450 people were arrested
for drug related offences.
* Controlled drugs with a street value of £2 million were seized.
* Increased number of people arrested for drug related offences
entering treatment (All Hawk arrests seen by treatment agency staff).
* There was an 87 per cent retention rate for people entering treatment.
* There was a reduction in acquisitive crime: 23.5 per cent
reduction in burglary dwelling and a 20 per cent reduction in
vehicle crime during 2006.
Best Practice in Asset Recovery
Winner
Merseyside Police - Operation Copybook
Merseyside Police identified an organised crime groups in October
2004 involved in large scale criminality, including drug
importation and money laundering. A complex investigation working
in partnership with HM Revenue and Customs, the regional asset
recovery team, other UK police forces and international
enforcement agencies, in particular Holland and Peru, has allowed
Merseyside Police to dismantle these organised criminal gangs.
Key Achievements
* Organised crime groups were dismantled.
* Importation methods were thwarted.
* A total of 1,665 kgs of cocaine, with a street value of £166
million, were seized.
* A total of 10kgs heroin and 7.5 kgs cocaine, with a street
value £1.7 million, were seized.
* Six firearms, two silencers and five magazines for automatic
weapons, and 2425 rounds of assorted live ammunition were seized.
* A total of £253,000 was seized.
* Identified assets to date worth £1.4 million have been identified.
* There were 13 arrests in the United Kingdom.
* There were 15 arrests in Europe and 20 arrests in Peru.
Best Practice in Asset Recovery
Commended
Cleveland Police - Operation Tarvin
As a result of police operations a crime family was identified as
the organised criminals responsible for the distribution of drugs
in the Cleveland area. Operation Tarvin's aim was to
investigate the crime family, their associates, to disrupt their
network and to seize their assets through a thorough financial investigation.
Key Achievements
* The main target was sentenced to 12 years for the drugs
offences and three years concurrent for money laundering.
* The main target's wife was sentenced to eight years for
the drug offences and two years concurrent for money laundering.
* The main target's niece received three years for drugs
offences and one year for money laundering.
The confiscation hearing for the main targets took place in
February 2006. The court ruled that their benefit of crime was
£800,000 each and that assets they held were £400,000. They were
ordered to pay £200,000 each or face the default sentence of three years.
Best Practice in Asset Recovery
Commended
Nottingham Constabulary - Operation Long Island
The main target was a local man who for a number of years had
been a major criminal in the local community. He was wealthy and
powerful and had been subject of operations in the past but had
avoided conviction. The main target and a number of other people
were arrested and charged with conspiracy to import 100 kgs of
heroin into the United Kingdom and conspiracy to evade the
prosecution on tobacco.
This individual was the owner of 26 properties and a hotel. He
had several bank and business accounts with vast funds. The
properties and accounts had to be subject of a restraint order and
this was dealt with at the High Court in London and had at that
time precision timing was of the essence so that assets could not
be dissipated.
Key Achievements
* The main target was convicted and received a 17 year prison
sentence and a consecutive five years for the cigarette smuggling.
* In addition to his 17 years custodial sentence, assets
including 26 houses and a hotel worth over £3 million pounds were identified.
* On Friday 30 June 2006 the convicted crime boss appeared at
Nottingham Crown Court where a judge declared he had benefited
from his criminal activities by £4,510,734.
* A confiscation order was imposed to seize his assets, valued at
£3,139,224 including financial investments in shares, two
properties in Newark, one being a hotel, expensive jewellery, a
Mercedes, Range Rover and Kawasaki motorbike.