New drug crime blitz yields early results

A MAJOR police crackdown on drugs has yielded impressive results - with over 30 arrests, the closure of a crack house and the seizure of substantial amounts of drugs along with associated paraphernalia.

The initiative - code-named Operation Falcon - was launched on March 3. It aims to smash the drugs trade across East Berkshire.

Within hours of the operation beginning, a crack house in Mansfield Close, Slough, was shut down after a successful court hearing.

Police also arrested and subsequently charged three men on suspicion of being in possession of drugs after their car was stopped by officers in Carrington Road.

A drugs warrant was executed in Howard Avenue, Slough, which resulted in the arrest of two women and a man on suspicion of intent to supply class A drugs.

The man and one of the women were later released on police bail pending further inquiries while the second woman was charged with assault on police.

During the search of the premises, £250 worth of what is believed to be amphetamines was found, along with 75 ecstasy pills.

On Monday, March 13, a 19-year-old man and a 26-year-old man were given street cautions for possession of cannabis after they were arrested in Slough.

The following day, officers swooped on Upton Park where they arrested three people following concerns from locals about possible illegal drug activity in the vicinity.

One of the three, a man in his 30s, was arrested after officers found him in possession of what is believed to be 12 wraps of crack. He was subsequently charged.

A second man, in his 20s, was also charged. He was arrested after being found in possession of what is believed to be a wrap of heroin.

Subsequent police action has included:

* Five people arrested for drug related offences on Wednesday March 15.

* The discovery of cannabis and scales after the execution of a drugs warrant in Hunters Way, Cippenham.

* On March 16 three arrests made and a house raided in Harvey Road, Langley, where officers seized a small amount of cannabis and hydroponics equipment.

* Drug Enforcement Team officers raiding a house in Belgrave Road, Slough, where around 30g of what is believed to be crack with an estimated street value of £3,500 was discovered, together with cash and half a kilo of cannabis.

* A man being arrested and charged following the execution of a warrant at an address in Wessex Way, Maidenhead, where a quantity of cannabis was found.

Superintendent Mike Ismay, silver commander for Operation Falcon, said: "I am delighted with these solid results, which have been achieved right from the start of this long-term campaign.

"Although it may appear that most of the activity so far has centred around Slough, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes throughout Berkshire East and I am confident that we will shortly be seeing more visible activity in the Royal Borough and Bracknell Forest."

Anyone with information about drugs or related crime is asked to contact the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don't want to give your name or talk to police call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.