Drug seizures up by a quarter

THE number of drug seizures carried out by police in Hampshire rose by almost a quarter last year.

Figures released by the Home Office show Hampshire Constabulary made 4,919 drug seizures in 2019-20 – 24 per cent more than the previous year.

In Hampshire, cannabis was the most commonly seized drug, which was involved in 80 per cent of seizures, followed by cocaine (six per cent).

This was still below the national average for drug seizures per population, but the National Police Chiefs

Council says it’s still a cause for concern.

Deputy chief constable Jason Harwin said: ‘These drugs feed a multi-million pound illicit market and are a key driver in other serious crimes.

‘Working with the National Crime Agency and other law enforcement agencies, we pursue organised criminals involved in the drugs trade who often commit other major crime including serious violence, human trafficking and modern slavery.

‘We also continue to work with public health bodies to seek to decrease user demand for illegal drugs and reduce harm.’

In October last year, Hampshire Constabulary raided a secure unit at Clamp Farm Stables, Newtown, west of Denmead, seizing £6.6m worth of cocaine – the largest haul ever for the police force.

Robert Hey, 41 of Upper Arundel Street in Portsmouth, Jason Stanley, 20 from Passingham Walk in Cowplain and Lee Matthews, 36 of Field Way in Denmead will be sentenced in connection with this case in the new year.