Significant increase in Class A drugs and weapons seizures by ROCUs

Since 2021, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) network, which specialises in tackling cross-border criminality involving drugs, exploitation and serious violence, has seen heroin seizures increase by 1,293 per cent, and cocaine seizures increase by 502 per cent.

During the same period, firearms seizures increased by 421 per cent and the number of adults safeguarded rose by 145 per cent.

Both the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for serious and organised crime, Chief Constable Chris Haward, and the NPCC lead for the ROCU network, Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst, praised staff and officers for their “continued fight against the threat posed by criminal gangs”.

One of those investigations that contributed greatly to the increase in firearms seizures was Operation Hurricane, led by the South East ROCU.

Three men were jailed having purchased a large number of top venting blank firearms. More than 70 prohibited handguns have been seized since last October. A selection of those seized were tested and confirmed as having been converted into viable firearms.

Officers also found a large amount of blank ammunition, some of which had been converted into live ammunition, along with various parts of firearms such as slides, magazines and cleaning kits.

The three defendants were jailed for more than 32 years in connection with the conspiracy and a further off-shoot operation launched in the Eastern Region, known as Operation Cyclone.

This investigation saw a further 35 handguns seized, along with hundreds of rounds of converted ammunition and 60kg of Class A Drugs.

So far eight people have been charged, and four defendants pleaded guilty and await sentence.

Mr Haward said: “This type of criminality is corrosive and complex and once it takes hold in a community, it can be incredibly difficult to remove.

“All too often we see these gangs start to make money and then use violence, exploitation and other abhorrent tactics to ensure they remain unchallenged. This is why it’s so important as police, we are relentless in our pursuit of offenders, and in disrupting their networks and supply chain.

“These figures show that between 2021 and 2023, officers and staff from across the ROCU network did just that and the increases are significant. I have no doubt that this front-foot action to take harmful substances and dangerous weapons out of circulation has saved lives and helped to re-build communities.”

Mr Rodenhurst added: “These figures speak for themselves and show what can be achieved when dedicated officers and staff from across the network, do what they do best.

“Both Op Hurricane and Op Cyclone show the danger these groups present our communities and cannot be complacent.

“As our capabilities improve, so do the tactics deployed by these organised crime groups, so law enforcement cannot stand still and we must continue to work closely with forces and partners like the National Crime Agency to identify, disrupt and tackle the complex threat posed.

“I’d like to thank our officers and staff for their commitment, professionalism and dedication. It’s only by working together we can make a difference.”