Police crackdown as drug dealers look for new markets
Police break into a house in Norwich, searching for suspected drugs users. There are concerns a crackdown in the city will mean dealers are targeting other areas, including Dereham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2016
Police in Dereham are working to crackdown on drug dealers looking for gaps in the market following high profile arrests in Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn and London.
Chief inspector Paul Wheatley. - Credit: Archant
Operation Gravity has seen more than 100 suspected drug dealers arrested by police in Norfolk as the drive to rid our county of heroin and cocaine, as well as arrests in the capital.
Chief inspector Paul Wheatley said officers in Dereham are working hard to ensure the town doesn't end up with a major drugs problem, with gangs looking for new areas to sell their products.
On Friday, police arrested two people in Dereham after executing five warrants in the town.
Chief insp Wheatley said: 'After the work done in Norwich and London as part of Operation Gravity, dealers are looking at towns like Dereham for gaps in the market.
'We have pushed hard for the last 18 months to crackdown on this and make sure Dereham doesn't end up with a major drugs problem. Friday's arrests were part of that.
'We have taken out the main dealers in Dereham but there will always be criminals looking to take advantage of new markets and we being proactive to keep on top of the situation.
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'There will always be drugs in towns but we are working to ensure it doesn't became a major issue in Dereham, like it is in some cities.
'I've seen before in other places I've worked in how the situation can quickly spiral out of control. It then leads to other serious crimes.
'I see drugs addicts now carrying out the same crimes they were 15 years ago - it is a vicious cycle we are trying to avoid.'
A man in his 50s and a woman in her 30s, both from Dereham, were arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and money laundering.
They have been questioned and released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Police seized quantities of class A drugs, scales and more than £5,700 in cash.
Anyone with information about illegal drug activity should contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Do you think Dereham has a drugs problem? E mail adam.lazzari@archant.co.uk
