Banbury woman arrested in police operation targeting organised crime and drug supply

Thames Valley Police officers executing a warrant as part of an operation targeting organised crime and drug supply across the policing area, including Banbury (Image from TVP website)

The officers served the warrants early this morning (Wednesday May 26) across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire targeting serious organised crime and supply of class A drugs.

Officers attended addresses in Banbury, Farmoor, Witney, Oxford, Longworth, Milton Keynes and Swindon in the early hours, and arrested a total of 13 people on suspicion of drug supply, money laundering offences and possession of a Section 5 firearm.

As part of the operation police executed a warrant in Songthrush Road, Banbury.

A 26-year-old woman from Banbury was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering.

Nine men aged between 20 and 49 and three other woman aged between 26 and 70 remain in police custody at this time.

The warrants were conducted as part of a lengthy investigation into the supply of heroin and cocaine in the Thames Valley.

A large quantity of class A drugs, money and weapons have been seized as a part of the operation.

Drugs seized by police as part of the operation targeting organised crime and drug supply across the area, including Banbury (Image from TVP website)

Detective Inspector Steve Jones of the Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) said: “Tackling organised crime is one of Thames Valley Police’s top priorities, and the warrants executed this morning show that we will not tolerate drug supply in our communities.

“We will always seek to cut off supply to those who are dealing and these warrants will significantly disrupt serious and organised crime in the Thames Valley.

“Over recent weeks and months, we have conducted a number of similar operations, and our activity to work hard to remove drugs from our communities will continue.

“I hope that today’s actions will serve as a stark warning to those who seek to profit from serious and organised criminality.

TVP vehicles preparing to leave early this morning (Wednesday May 26) for the police operation targeting organised crime and drug supply across the policing area, including Banbury (Image from TVP website)

“The warrants executed today are as a result of a lengthy investigation and I hope that our message is clear to anybody who is engaging in such activity.

“We know who you are, we will target you, and we will bring you to justice.

“Through our stronghold campaign, we are committed to working in partnership to tackle serious organised crime and exploitation, such as county lines drug dealing.

“Our communities are important to us in tackling these issues, and I would urge anybody who has any information about drug supply to please report this to Thames Valley Police on 101 or online.

“You are also able to report 100 per cent anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”