Large drug operation sees 12 arrested - South Cotswolds Gazette

Large drug operation sees 12 arrested by Gloucestershire Police

6:00pm Friday 13th September 2013 in News By Gazette reporter

A THREE day-long operation by Gloucestershire Police this week has resulted in 12 people being arrested as well as suspected drugs being taken off the county's streets.

Across Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September police officers from the Crime Operations Team carried out warrants at 10 addresses in Gloucester and the Forest of Dean.

During the investigation (codenamed Operation Apollo) officers have been working with the Benefit Fraud Team from Gloucester City Council.

As part of the operation so far officers have arrested 12 people, the majority of whom were arrested on suspicion of money laundering offences which includes benefiting financially from criminal activity and benefit fraud offences.

The investigation has identified money totally approximately £700,000 leaving the UK over a period of time and the investigation into this, and other lines of inquiry, continue.

During the warrants officers seized a large amount of financial documentation, amounts of suspected class A and class B drugs (crack cocaine and cannabis), telephones and IT equipment.

The 12 arrested have all been bailed to return to the police station at later dates, whilst those enquiries continue.

Officers have also confirmed that, following this week's operation, there are still people they wish to speak to and enquiries are ongoing to locate them. Detective Constable Jon Hume from the Crime Operations Team at Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "We consider the operation so far a great success and, whilst our operation is continuing, we hope it reassures the public that we can and do tackle crime at all levels.

"This week we have shown a different dimension to tackling criminal offences and those involved in various areas of crime. Whilst we regularly focus on the offences of criminal groups this operation is aimed at tackling the financial gains made through their crimes, which can have a huge effect on the lives of those involved in such offences and make it extremely difficult for them to launder their criminal gains in the future.

"We want people involved in criminal offences of all kinds in Gloucestershire to understand that it is only a matter of time before they are caught and that we will do everything within our power to make sure they do not benefit from their criminal activity.

"We would like, as always, to thank the public for their support of our operation. By calling us on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information you have about criminal activity we can target those involved and see them put before the courts."

The details of the arrests are: * A 44-year-old man from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. He has been bailed to return to the police station on November 22.

* A 38-year-old woman from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. She has been bailed to return to the police station on November 22. * A 27-year-old woman from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and supplying a class A drug. She has been bailed to return to the police station on September 18.

* A 41-year-old woman from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. She has been bailed to return to the police station on December 10.

* A 28-year-old woman from Tuffley was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. She has been bailed to return to the police station on December 4.

* A 33-year-old from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. She has been bailed to return to the police station on December 5.

* A 45-year-old man from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. He has been bailed to return to the police station on December 5.

* A 33-year-old woman from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. She has been bailed to return to the police station on December 5.

* A 25-year-old woman from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. She has been bailed to return to the police station on October 30.

* A 35-year-old from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. She has been bailed to return to the police station on December 11.

* A 52-year-old man from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of drugs supply and money laundering. He has been bailed to return to the police station on December 5.

* A 41-year-old woman from Lydbrook was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. She has been bailed to return to the police station on December 12. The warrants were carried out at addresses in Deans Way, Byron Avenue, Ruardean Drive, Fairford Way, Mutsilver Mews, Swan Road, Savernake Road, Alfred Street and Deans Walk in Gloucester and Rocks Road in Joys Green in Lydbrook.