Lancashire Constabulary made several significant arrests and seizures during an overnight operation on the region’s roads, targeting suspected criminals and disrupting their illegal activities. The operation, which took place on [date], saw officers from the force’s proactive policing teams working tirelessly to identify and apprehend those involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.
The first stop of the night came at around 7pm, when officers pulled over a Volkswagen Passat entering Blackpool on Preston New Road. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 3-4kg of cannabis, leading to the arrest of two men, aged 31 and 27, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply. The passenger, the 27-year-old, was also wanted in relation to immigration offences. The officers involved in the stop were praised for their professionalism and attention to detail, which led to the successful recovery of the illegal drugs and the apprehension of the suspects.
The second stop of the night took place on the M6 southbound near Preston, where officers stopped a Citroen C3 based on previous intelligence. A search of the vehicle revealed more than £5,000 in cash, leading to the arrest of two men, aged 27 and 32, from Birmingham on suspicion of money laundering. The officers involved in the stop were able to quickly identify the suspects and recover the illegal cash, which is believed to be linked to a larger criminal operation.
The third and final stop of the night took place near Samlesbury, where officers stopped a Vauxhall Insignia. A search of the vehicle revealed £5,000 worth of cannabis and edibles, leading to the arrest of a 54-year-old man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply. The officers involved in the stop were praised for their ability to quickly and effectively search the vehicle, leading to the recovery of the illegal drugs and the apprehension of the suspect.
Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards praised the efforts of the officers involved in the operation, saying: “This represents just a small proportion of the proactive work the teams across Lancashire Constabulary have undertaken overnight. This is the work that our communities don’t necessarily see, but we are doing every day, 24/7. Our officers are working hard to identify risk, listen to your concerns and analyse intelligence. We relentlessly target those who are intent on causing harm in our communities. I am always pleased to see our custody cells, across the county, very busy, as they are every day. We do really appreciate the many comments of support from our Lancashire residents. Please keep sending us intelligence and information as this helps us do more of this work – keeping criminals from operating in our county, enabling us to seize their assets and putting them before the courts.”
The arrests and seizures are a significant blow to the criminal networks involved in drug trafficking and money laundering, and demonstrate the force’s commitment to tackling these serious crimes. The operation is also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the officers involved, who worked tirelessly throughout the night to identify and apprehend the suspects.
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting any suspicious activity or concerns to the police, which can help to prevent and disrupt criminal activity. If you have any information or concerns, please contact Lancashire Constabulary on [phone number] or [email address]. The force is committed to working with the community to keep Lancashire safe and secure, and relies on the public’s help to achieve this goal.
The operation is also a reminder of the importance of intelligence-led policing, which involves using information and data to identify and target criminal activity. The force uses a range of intelligence sources, including social media, CCTV and community tips, to gather information and disrupt criminal networks. The operation is a great example of how intelligence-led policing can be used to make a real difference on the streets.
In addition to the arrests and seizures, the operation also saw the recovery of a number of vehicles and other assets linked to the criminal activity. The vehicles, which included a number of high-performance cars, were seized and will be held as evidence pending further investigation. The assets, which included cash and other valuables, were also seized and will be used to fund the force’s ongoing efforts to tackle drug trafficking and money laundering.
The operation is a significant step forward in the force’s efforts to tackle drug trafficking and money laundering, and demonstrates its commitment to keeping Lancashire safe and secure. The force will continue to work tirelessly to identify and apprehend those involved in these serious crimes, and relies on the public’s help to achieve this goal. If you have any information or concerns, please contact Lancashire Constabulary on [phone number] or [email address].