Two arrested and drugs seized worth thousands during police raids on five Northampton dens

TWO men were arrested and a stash of drugs worth thousands of pounds seized during FIVE police raids on an organised crime gang in Northampton yesterday.

Four of the drugs dens were hit simultaneously as part of a crackdown on the gang that has "plagued and blighted the lives" of people in the St David's area of Kingsthorpe.

Detectives confirmed that a 19-year-old man has been charged with two counts of intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of Class B drugs.

The teenager has been remanded and will appear before Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday, July 1.

Another 48-year-old man was also arrested for possession of Class A drugs and has been released under investigation.

Officers also seized a quantity of Class A and Class B drugs worth thousands during the operation on Thursday (May 28) while a child was safeguarded in liaison with social care.

Sergeant Beth Curlett, from the local neighbourhood policing team, who led the operation, said: “This was about the disruption of an organised crime gang which has plagued the community of St David’s for some time.

"This particular gang have blighted the lives of those living in the area with drug dealing, violence and anti-social behaviour.

“The arrest of these two men means we have taken the ground back for the community and made it clear we will not tolerate their drug-dealing and violence.

"This was an extremely positive day for the locality and people saw first-hand we will take action against those who may well have thought they could get away with their abhorrent behaviour.

“Officers have been patrolling the area and reassuring the local community, alongside partners from Northamptonshire Partnership Homes, Neighbourhood Watch, Fire, the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, youth workers and Northampton Borough Council’s Community Safety team.

“The team have distributed more than 500 leaflets encouraging local residents to report information and crime to us while the Special Constabulary have contributed over 350 hours to this operation.”

Neighbourhood officer, PC Louise O’Sullivan added: “My colleagues and I have worked relentlessly on this case for some time and as the local neighbourhood officer for this area, I would like to reassure the community this work will not stop and we will continue to recognise and respond to the needs of local people.

"We have a patrol plan in place and people will continue to see a visible policing presence in the area over the coming weeks.”

Yesterday's raids were the latest in the St David's area.

Two men aged 49 and 21 were charged after police shut down a known drugs den and seized a quantity of Class A drugs during a dawn swoop on a property in Drayton Walk.