15 arrests for Operation Duxford in Doncaster

Operation Duxford’s crackdown on organised crime in Doncaster saw 15 arrests, multiple warrants executed and the seizure of a significant amount of harmful drugs.

On Wednesday (7 May), officers from across the force joined up with partner agencies for a targeted day of action to tackle organised crime groups and associated criminality, including the supply of illegal substances.

The day was run by Operation Fortify – a dedicated team of officers and detectives responsible for tackling serious and organised crime.

Following a briefing at Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium on Wednesday morning, teams were deployed to various areas of Doncaster to execute drug warrants and carry out enforcement and engagement activities.

This led to the seizure of over 200 cannabis plants from multiple addresses in the city.

Fifteen people were arrested for a range of offences, including possession with intent to supply controlled drugs, failing to appear in court in relation to suspected drug-related offences and driving while unfit through drugs.

A man and a woman were found in possession of suspected cocaine following a raid on a property, with another man arrested after being stopped and searched whilst in possession of over 60 wraps of Class A drugs.

In another property that was searched by officers, they found a wanted man hiding under a bed in a desperate attempt to evade justice. After initially giving a false name to officers, he was soon identified, arrested and brought into custody.

Doncaster South Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), alongside our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) team visited several local barbershops and spoke to their employees.

Working alongside external partners, including HMRC and DWP, the team gathered intelligence and helped safeguard employees from any possible signs of exploitation.

The team also seized a stolen moped, with Doncaster North NPT recovering a stolen motorbike in the Askern area.

The DVLA deployed to the Highfields and Woodlands area of the city, which resulted in 40 warning letters and penalty notices being sent out.

You can read more about some of the results from yesterday’s Duxford here.

Detective Inspector Laura Procter, from Doncaster’s Operation Fortify team, said: “Yesterday’s operation was a team effort which produced some really positive results in our fight against serious and organised crime in Doncaster.

“The growth and supply of illegal drugs, even at street dealing level, helps fund and drive organised crime groups who are responsible for horrific acts of violence in our communities.

“The effect and impact of illegal drug dealing impacts the whole community. It goes far beyond any ‘simple’ street deal and creates unsafe areas where people live in fear of being subjected to anti-social behaviour and violence.

“Our message to anyone engaging in this kind of criminality is that we will not tolerate it. Every day, our officers are working hard to investigate organised crime groups in this city, with Operation Duxford just a small snapshot of the work that happens day in, day out to fight this criminality.

“I want to thank our partners and teams from across the force for helping us deliver another successful operation Duxford and I hope this sends out a clear warning to anyone involved in organised crime in Doncaster.”

If you are worried about drug-related crime in your area, or if you think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, please call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

You can also get in touch via our online reporting portal: https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/ro/report/ .

We understand you may wish to submit information about drug-related crime to us anonymously and you can do this via Crimestoppers. You can contact them for free on 0800 555 111 or by contacting them online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.