£30,000 Of Cocaine Seized And Four Arrests In Cumbrian Drug Raids
Police have seized an estimated £30,000 of cocaine and arrested four men during a series of early morning drug raids across Cumbria.
The raids targeted addresses in Penrith, Barrow and Kendal as part of Operation Alliance, a police operation focused on tackling serious and organised crime. Officers carried out the coordinated activity at several properties, with the action resulting in arrests, the seizure of suspected drugs and the recovery of a significant amount of cash. Police also gathered intelligence which they say could support further investigations and action.
Three men were arrested after officers entered a property on Crown Terrace in Penrith town centre. During the search, police recovered cocaine estimated to have a street value of around £30,000, along with a significant quantity of cash. Officers also seized two electric bikes from the address as part of the operation, with the items taken during the search while investigations continued.
Two of the men arrested at the Penrith property were aged 23 and 35. Both were arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. They have since been released under investigation while police continue to assess the evidence gathered during the raid and determine what further action may be required.
A third man arrested at the Penrith address has been identified as 33-year-old Jordan Wilby, who has no fixed address. He was charged with possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property. His case has now progressed through the courts following the charges arising from the police operation.
Wilby appeared before Barrow Magistrates' Court on October 1. He entered no plea during the hearing and is due to appear before Carlisle Crown Court on October 30. The court process remains ongoing, and the charges against him are allegations unless and until they are proven through the criminal justice system.
A separate raid was carried out on Marsh Street in Barrow, where a 42-year-old man was arrested. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply. Like the two men arrested at the Penrith property, he was subsequently released under investigation while police continue their enquiries.
Further searches were also conducted at another address in Barrow and at properties in Kendal. Those searches did not result in any further arrests. Police nevertheless said the wider day of action produced significant intelligence, which could be used to support additional enforcement activity and investigations connected to serious and organised crime.
The raids formed part of Operation Alliance, which is focused on disrupting criminal activity and targeting people involved in serious and organised crime. The coordinated approach allowed officers to visit multiple addresses across different parts of Cumbria during the same operation. The seizure of suspected cocaine, cash and other items provides police with material to assess as their enquiries continue.
The day of action was funded through an £80,000 contribution from Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. The money came from funds recovered from criminals and was used to support the police activity. Such funding allows additional resources to be directed towards enforcement operations targeting serious criminality and drug supply within communities.
Inspector Martyn Irving said the raids had provided significant intelligence that could lead to further action. He also issued a warning to people involved in supplying illegal drugs, saying officers could be expected to take action against those involved in making money through drug supply.
The police operation also included activity across three different Cumbrian locations, demonstrating the geographical spread of the enforcement action. Penrith was the location of the largest seizure, while separate searches and an arrest took place in Barrow. Properties in Kendal were also searched as officers worked to investigate suspected criminal activity linked to the wider operation.
David Allen, Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, attended the Penrith raid and said the force maintained a zero-tolerance approach towards drug dealing. He also urged members of the public to continue reporting suspicions about suspected criminal activity. Information provided by residents can help police identify locations, individuals and activity that may otherwise be difficult to detect.
The arrests and seizures represent the immediate outcomes from the coordinated raids, but investigations remain ongoing in relation to those released under investigation and the wider intelligence gathered. Police will assess evidence from the searches and determine whether additional enforcement action is appropriate. The court proceedings involving Wilby will also continue separately following his appearance at Barrow Magistrates' Court.
The operation highlights the continuing police focus on disrupting the supply of controlled drugs and targeting criminal assets connected with suspected offending. With addresses searched in Penrith, Barrow and Kendal, officers were able to carry out a coordinated enforcement operation across several parts of Cumbria. Police have indicated that the intelligence gathered could lead to further activity as investigations develop.
Residents with information about suspected drug dealing or other serious criminal activity are being encouraged to report their concerns to police. Information can help officers build a clearer picture of activity within local communities and identify opportunities for enforcement. The latest operation is expected to form part of continuing efforts to disrupt organised criminal activity and the supply of illegal drugs across Cumbria.
Got a news story or tip to share? Contact our editorial team by emailing news@lakelandpost.co.uk or call us directly on 0333 090 2080.