Three Charged After Drugs Raids

Police have now charged three people after drugs raids in Portsmouth on Monday.

Kirsty Chambers, aged 21, Joe Harris, aged 22, and Louise Power aged 29 - all from Grove House, Hendy Close - have been charged with handling stolen goods.

They will be appearing at Portsmouth Magistrates Court this morning (Tuesday 12 Feb).

Five men - aged 20, 28, 30, 31 and 40 and all from Portsmouth - remain in police custody at his time.

90 officers were involved in raids across the city on Monday 11 Feb as part of an investigation into drug supply, robbery and burglaries.

It follows last week’s arrests on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs which saw six people pleading guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, February 6.
 
Chief Inspector Darren O’Callaghan, who is leading Operation Raft, said: “Operation Raft is targeting those responsible for serious acquisitive crime and the supply of illegal drugs in Portsmouth.
 
“Crime is down by 16% in Portsmouth so far this year and today’s arrests demonstrate our commitment and determination to achieve a further reduction in crime and to ensure that the area is a safe place to live and work.
 
“We want to ensure that law-abiding members of the community do not have their lives blighted by the crime and anti-social behaviour often associated with the use of drugs.  
 
“Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood teams have visited the communities affected by this operation to provide reassurance and to distribute leaflets to those concerned which describe what has taken place.”
 
If you are concerned about criminal activity in your neighbourhood you can call the police in confidence on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.