More than 100 arrests in South West drug crackdown as Operation Scorpion targets supply and child exploitation

A week-long regional police operation has led to more than 100 arrests across the South West, as forces joined together to disrupt drug supply networks and safeguard vulnerable people.
Operation Scorpion 13, which ran from 24–30 November 2025, brought together the five South West police forces - Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire - working alongside their Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police, and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU). The coordinated effort aims to make the region a “hostile environment” for organised crime groups.
Throughout the week, officers carried out arrest and search warrants, vehicle stops, and used drones to track suspected dealers. Police also seized drugs, weapons and cash, and identified vulnerable individuals linked to criminal exploitation.
Across the region, the operation resulted in 112 arrests, the seizure of £67,329 in cash, and the confiscation of 52kg of cannabis including 868 plants. Three guns and five imitation firearms were recovered, and 48 vulnerable people, among them five children, were safeguarded.
In Devon and Cornwall specifically, police made 27 arrests, safeguarded 21 people including one child, seized £17,465 in cash, and confiscated 308 cannabis plants. Officers also recovered two guns, one imitation firearm and six other weapons.
This phase of Operation Scorpion placed particular emphasis on tackling child criminal exploitation, where young people are groomed into carrying out illegal activities. Officers delivered school talks on county lines and exploitation, including a session for 400 pupils in Helston and a visit by the charity Escape Line to a Plymouth school. Police Cadets in Camborne also distributed leaflets in areas affected by cuckooing to raise awareness among residents.
British Transport Police and Devon & Cornwall Police jointly carried out a high-visibility operation at Plymouth Railway Station and on trains into south east Cornwall to deter offending and identify vulnerable people being exploited.
A wider social media campaign ran alongside the enforcement activity, using targeted TikTok and Snapchat adverts to reach young people online.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thorne said the results reflect the force’s determination to reduce drug-related harm. “Operations like this send a clear message that we will continue to target those who choose to profit from causing harm in our communities.
“The outcomes reflect the support of the public who play an important role in helping us identify and disrupt criminal activity, and the hard work and dedication of our staff. I encourage anyone with information to contact Devon & Cornwall Police or do it anonymously through Crimestoppers.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez added: “Our communities are fed up with witnessing drug dealing and drug abuse in their communities. The amount of cash, kilograms of drugs and numbers of weapons seized by police during this Operation Scorpion tell only part of the story of the continuing efforts to remove the scourge of drugs from our communities. The harm from drugs is not limited to the immediate physical and mental harm it brings to addicts and anti-social behaviour associated with drug use, there is also the violence, coercion and exploitation of children and adults who are caught up in the criminal distribution of these illegal substances.
“The public play a huge part in protecting our young people and making sure the South West is no place for drugs, so if you suspect or know of drug activity, please let the police know or report it anonymously through Crimestoppers. Every report is valuable.”
Devon & Cornwall Police can be contacted online or via the non-emergency 101 number. Crimestoppers is available anonymously on 0800 555 111.