Police carried out nine raids across north and west Cumbria in the latest day of intensified action on drugs crime in the county.
Six arrests were made and suspected heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA and cannabis seized as officers were deployed in Carlisle, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and Workington.
There was the seizure of suspected illicit pharmaceutical pills and a suspected XL Bully.
And as well as arrests and enforcement action, Operation Ferrol saw officers carry out preventative work, including school visits and an online campaign to gather intelligence.
The work was carried out as part of the latest drugs action funded by the county’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen.
The funding was taken from a pot of money already recovered from previous drugs enforcement to further target those suspected of supplying drugs.
A simultaneous briefing was held across police stations in Cumberland before officers were deployed to the target sites.
Searches were then carried out, substances seized and suspects arrested.
Detective Inspector Dave Howard led the operation.
He said: “Tackling drugs crime remains a year-long priority for Cumbria Police.
“Our officers are investigating and aiming to disrupt, deter and detain people involved in this offending every day.
“Our action should send a message out that we are working all the time to stop drugs offenders and to protect those that their illegal trade harms.
“The commissioner’s funding allowed us to take targeted action across our county for this operation.
“But the work does not stop here – our officers continue to target those involved in this harmful industry.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen said: “I promised we would take drug dealers out and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.
“Drugs have catastrophic impacts on our communities, I’ve seen it first-hand as a former police officer, and I won’t allow drugs to take hold on our streets across Cumbria as your PFCC.
“We’ll continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to drugs in our county, removing dealers with more raids and supporting those who are in need to turn away from drugs.
“Please, if you have information about drug dealers in our county, let the police or CrimeStoppers know, it will be dealt with.”
DI Howard also pointed out how preventative work was factored into the operation.
He added: “Our work goes wider than arrests, warrants and enforcement.
“We have officers, alongside partners, going into schools to educate young people about drugs and the dangers they pose.
“The county’s 1CLIC initiative continues to provides help to the people most in need, showing them that support is available to turn away from drugs and those involved.”
David Allen added: “Drugs have catastrophic impacts on our communities and I'm proud that schemes I have funded like 1-CLIC are supporting these areas
“We are also preventing future offenders by providing support to schools and colleges regarding county lines operations in Cumbria.
“As a former cop, I know first hand the destruction drugs can cause to the youth in Cumbria, they tear lives apart and ruin futures
“We continue to uphold our zero-tolerance approach to drugs in Cumbria through raids throughout the region, removing drugs from the streets, and through schemes providing support to those affected by drugs in the county”
Do you have information that can help us?
Anyone with information can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it
You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Support for those affected by drugs use
Support is available for people affected by drugs use. They can access support that services such as Recovery Steps Cumbria can provide.
You can contact them on 01900 512300 (this covers all of Cumbria).