Police Arrest 26 People in Rugby

Police Arrest 26 People in Rugby in Operation Deduce

Police have made a total of 26 arrests during an operation targeting Class A drugs suppliers in Rugby.

The five day operation, code named, Deduce and involving up to 78 officers a day, began at 8pm on Thursday 24 February when police executed a warrant at an address in Eskdale on the Brownsover estate where they made eight arrests. Two other people were arrested nearby. A number of houses were also searched.

The following morning (Friday 25 February) 78 officers were engaged in the second stage of Operation Deduce which began at 7am with searches at a number of other addresses in the Brownsover area, plus addresses in other parts of Rugby.

A further six people were arrested on Friday 25 February on suspicion of drugs related matters.

Saturday and Monday mornings saw stage three and stage four of Operation Deduce taking place with further arrests bringing the total number of people being questioned for drugs related offences in the Rugby area to 25.

Quantities of controlled drugs including what is believed to be crack cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, cannabis and steroids have been recovered and are currently being analysed.

Money and goods valued at more than £30,000 has also been recovered during the intelligence lead operation.

A total of 41 charges have so far been brought against 13 people. Others continue to be questioned by police. The majority of the charges relate to the supply of Class A drugs

Speaking on Monday lunchtime (28 February) Chief Inspector Mak Chishty, District Commander for Rugby said, "We have a clear message to give to drugs dealers in Rugby and that is if you come here you will be arrested.

"Drugs harm people and we are going to make sure that people realise that drugs dealers will not be tolerated in Rugby."

And he warned, "This is just the start of it, we will be continuing to use intelligence lead policing to identify people dealing drugs and those who get involved in crime as a result of drugs activity. Be warned we are actively pursuing drugs dealers, they will be arrested and they will be put before the court."

His views were backed up by members of Rugby Borough Council who have worked with the police and other agencies as part of the Crime and Disorder Partnership and who have played a significant role in the planning of Operation Deduce. Council Leader Craig Humphrey, speaking for all the parties on Rugby Borough Council, said, "The council is giving a unified message in the fight against drugs. If people think they can come to Rugby because they can peddle drugs here they should think twice. Thirteen people have been charged so far. Tonight Rugby is a safer place."

As a result of the weekend arrests, leaflets have been circulated for drugs users providing them with advice on where they can go to get help for their drugs habit as drugs supplies will no longer be available due to the arrests made under Operation Deduce.