Ketamine drugs bust across Lancashire sees 32 people including 15-year-old arrested

A ketamine drugs bust across various places in Lancashire has resulted in 32 people being arrested including 15-year-old.

Police have stepped up their fight against ketamine dealing, executing a series of high-impact warrants across Lancashire as part of Operation Shore. The week of action led to forced entries, drug seizures, and the arrest of suspected dealers in a clear message that this criminality will not be tolerated.

This policing activity resulted in:

• 19 warrants being executed across Lancaster, Blackpool, Fleetwood, Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Preston, Skelmersdale, and Chorley.
• Quantities of suspected Class A, suspected Class B, and suspected Class C drugs being seized, as well as large quantities of as-yet unidentified white powder.
• 32 arrests, with ages ranging from 15 to 55.
• Over £26,900 cash seized.
• Weapons including machetes, zombie knives, air weapons, and other bladed weapons seized.

Det Ch Supt Derry Crorken, who is spearheading Operation Shore, said: “I want to thank everyone who has given information about ketamine supply in their area. This really does make a difference.

“What you’ve given us is already helping our officers build a better picture of illegal ketamine supply across Lancashire.

“I hope that my officers’ actions during our intensification week show you that we will act on intelligence, using it to disrupt supply, seize illegal ketamine, and make arrests.”

Prior to this week of action, there were 294 ketamine-related offences recorded during the past three years in Lancashire, with year-on-year increases. However, the force believes the issue to be under-reported and that is it is appealing for information from the public.

Using funding from Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, Operation Shore seeks to disrupt supply of the drug. Officers are also using the campaign to educate children and young people – as well as their parents, guardians, and associated professionals such as teachers – about the risks of using ketamine.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire Clive Grunshaw said: “Ketamine destroys lives and damages futures.

“It’s devastating health impacts are well known, so it is encouraging to see early results from the expansion of Operation Shore across Lancashire, taking enforcement action against the criminal gangs and dealers who bring ketamine and other harmful substances into our communities.”

“I urge anyone with concerns to come forward, including anonymously through Crimestoppers, as we continue working to disrupt the supply chains that put this drug on our streets. By working together across policing, health, education and partner organisations, we can make Lancashire safer and, ultimately, save lives.”

Lancashire Constabulary is calling on members of the public to continue to provide information to help reduce the supply and sale of illegal ketamine in the county. Call 101, report it online, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

You can learn more about Operation Shore on the force’s website.