Cumbria Police Make 20 Arrests and Seize £15,000 in Week‑Long Drugs Raids

Cumbria Constabulary has carried out a series of drugs raids across the county resulting in 20 arrests, the seizure of more than £15,000 in cash, suspected controlled substances and a number of weapons. The operation formed part of a week‑long push to disrupt county lines drug crime and related criminality.

Officers executed 12 search warrants during the intensified policing operation, targeting addresses linked to the supply and distribution of illegal drugs. Substances suspected to be cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and MDMA were seized, alongside significant amounts of cash and various items believed to be linked to criminal activity.

In one raid at a property in Burton in Kendal, police seized cocaine, more than £3,300 in cash and a large quantity of counterfeit cigarettes, leading to two arrests. Another search in Penrith resulted in the seizure of cocaine and cash and two further arrests.

At a property in Barrow officers seized suspected cannabis, two air pistols and a pitbull, with one person taken into custody, while in Carlisle a man was arrested following the discovery of suspected cannabis, cocaine, ketamine and cash.

Additional items recovered across the operation included suspected illicit medication, a crossbow, a stun gun, three vehicles and dozens of mobile phones. Police also reported seizing cocaine with a total estimated value of around £75,000 during the week’s activity.

Detective Inspector Sam Johnson said tackling county lines drug crime remains a key priority and that the intensified week of action was aimed at disrupting organised criminal networks and protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.

Alongside arrests and seizures, the operation included prevention work such as educational presentations in schools, engagement with holiday parks to raise awareness, and safeguarding checks for people at risk of exploitation.

Police have urged anyone with information about drug‑related crime to come forward and help protect communities across Cumbria.