R&R Life News
Redhill man among 24 arrested in police drugs swoops
3:55pm Tuesday 31st January 2012
A Redhill man was among 24 people arrested and charged with drug offences following a series of co-ordinated police dawn raids.
Michael Stancombe, 42, of Timperley Gardens, was arrested as part of Operation Austen, a large-scale operation mounted last Thursday (January 26) targeting drug dealing in Guildford.
Dawn raids were carried out at 17 addresses across the South-east and resulted in 24 people being charged with a variety of offences in connection with the supply of class A drugs.
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said 23 of those charged had appeared at South West Surrey Magistrates Court in Guildford last Friday (January 27).
Stancombe appeared charged with one count of the supply of cocaine, three of the supply of amphetamines and a further count of the supply of a class C drug.
He was remanded to appear at the same court again on Friday, February 3.
The operation, which followed several months of work gathering information and evidence, marked the largest co-ordinated activity in the borough of Guildford since 2006 and specifically targeted the supply of illegal drugs.
Properties raided included addresses in Guildford, Reigate and Banstead, London and East Sussex.
With up to 100 officers involved and a 5am start, the police teams included rapid entry units, detectives, police staff investigators, dog handlers, search teams and officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team.
They were told the aim of the operation was to remove those supplying Class A drugs from the streets.
Guildford Neighbourhood Commander Chief Inspector Matt Goodridge said: “The activity today is aimed at those who are bringing illegal drugs onto the streets of the borough – not just the users and dealers, but those further up the supply chain who are organising the infiltration into our neighbourhoods from afar.”
Chief Insp Goodridge said: “The painstaking work involved to bring Operation Austen to its climax this morning comes as a result of information obtained on offenders - much of which has been forthcoming to officers on the streets who have built up strong relationships with their local communities.
“It is ultimately thanks to members of the public that we can take this large-scale action aimed at stopping those who make a living from the misery of others.”
He stressed: “I want to be clear to everyone - if you are involved in the supply of drugs in the borough of Guildford do not sleep easy because it could be your door officers are calling at next.”
He added that Safer Neighbourhood Team officers will be working with partner agencies to offer help to those people who use drugs and need to break the cycle of addiction through rehabilitation and treatment, and help and support will be offered to people who have suffered as a result of anti-social behaviour linked to the people targeted.
Kevin Deanus of the Surrey Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) said: “Reducing the demand for drugs in and around Surrey is a key priority for the DAAT.”
He said: “Operation Austen may be visible as a police enforcement action, but there are so many other consequences for the families, friends and local communities that we need to support.
“This morning we have informed key treatment services who we commission, that the police operation may identify others who have a substance misuse problem who want help.
“If we can support these people through treatment, then we can help them fulfil their potential in a positive and productive way.”
Guildford Borough Council chief executive David Hill said: “We’re delighted to see such firm, clear action from Surrey Police to target the supply of illegal drugs in the borough.
“This criminal activity ruins lives and harms communities and the council is happy to support Surrey Police and other partners to make this operation a success.”