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On Tuesday 29th September 2026 - South West officers were on patrol in Merton as part of Op Alliance, an operation aimed at tackling vehicle-related crime through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)-led policing.
Officers were made aware of a black Vauxhall Mokka vehicle, which was subject to a low-stop crime marker. Information indicated that the driver may be driving whilst under the influence of drugs and that the passenger was shown as wanted.
The vehicle came to notice on London Road heading towards Rose Hill Roundabout, before continuing towards Cheam. Officers subsequently identified the vehicle and it was stopped on St Dunstan's Hill at the junction with Belmont Rise Sutton.
The two occupants of the vehilce were both detained for the purpose of a search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
During the search, officers located a snap bag containing a white rock-like substance suspected to be cocaine.
A Section 23 search of the vehicle was also conducted. Within the glove compartment, officers located a large snap bag containing a quantity of white powder suspected to be cocaine. Officers also located a brown substance wrapped in cling film, suspected to be cannabis resin.
Following the discovery of these items within the vehicle, both occupants were arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class A drug and possession of a Class B drug.
Due to the information concerning possible drug driving, a roadside drug test was requested for the driver. A traffic unit attended and conducted the roadside drug wipe. Within approximately eight minutes of the test being administered, the drug wipe indicated a positive result. The driver was subsequently further arrested on suspicion of driving whilst over the specified drug limit.
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