Officers make 21 arrests, seize £4,000 in cash and 150 bags of Class A drugs during three-night operation

Officers make 21 arrests, seize £4,000 in cash and 150 bags of Class A drugs during three-night operation

Officers arrested 21 people, seized 150 bags of Class A drugs and £4,000 during a three-night operation aimed at targeting high-harm offenders using the road networks in Hampshire.

Aided with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology, proactive teams were able to successfully target those people who go across force boundaries to carry out crimes.

During the operation, known as Operation Pandilla, a total of 72 vehicles were stopped, 19 of which were searched, while 15 were seized and 38 traffic tickets were issued.

Sixteen people were searched and 150 bags of Class A drugs, 50 bags of Class B drugs and 50 Class C drugs were all seized, along with approximately £4,000 in cash.

Some of the key highlights from the operation, which took place between Tuesday 7 July and Thursday 9 July across areas in northern and eastern Hampshire, are below:

Rodolf Marku, 28, of no fixed abode, was charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A and Class B, using a motor vehicle without third party insurance, driving a motor vehicle otherwise that in accordance with a licence and obstruct / resist a constable in execution of duty following a proactive stop on Merrileas Gardens, Basingstoke, on Tuesday 7 July. He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates Court and was remanded into custody to appear at Winchester Crown Court on 12 August.

Tremayne Francis, 19, of Boston Close, Fareham, was charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A following a proactive stop on Wallop Drive, Basingstoke, on 7 July. He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates Court and was remanded into custody to appear at Winchester Crown Court on 12 August.

Wesley Mendonca, 42, of Field Common Lane, Walton-on-Thames, was charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A following a proactive stop on Hackwood Road, Basingstoke, on 7 July. He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates Court and was remanded into custody to appear at Winchester Crown Court on 12 August.

Matie-Horia Straulescu, 25, of no fixed abode, was charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A and Class B, acquire / use / possess criminal property, drive a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence, use a vehicle without third party insurance following a proactive stop in St Anne Gardens, Basingstoke, on 7 July. He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates Court and was remanded into custody to appear at Winchester Crown Court on 12 August.

The operation was co-ordinated with other forces, including Thames Valley Police, Sussex Police, Surrey Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary and Essex Police.

Hampshire officers were supported by the Dog Unit, Roads Policing Units, Neighbourhood Enforcement Teams, Violent Crime Teams and the National Police Air Service.

Inspector Nikki Hopkins, from the Northern Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, said: “I’m delighted to say that this Operation Pandilla has been another huge success in Hampshire.

“Officers from several teams worked relentlessly for three nights to target offenders who use our road networks to commit crimes.

“I believe that this is an example of proactive policing at its finest, with teams working together in a co-ordinated manner to make arrests and remove drugs from our streets.

“Our aim is always to create a hostile environment for people who wish to cause harm in our communities. I want to be clear that we are committed to protecting the public and tackling the harm that criminals cause in our force area.

“We will continue to look at all opportunities and tactics available to us to disrupt offenders and bring them to justice.”

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