EIGHT people have been charged with drugs and weapons offences after a police investigation into an alleged organised crime network.

Dorset Police’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT) carried out an in-depth investigation into an alleged conspiracy to supply class A drugs in the county between March and June last year.

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Following enquiries made by detectives from SOCIT, a series of arrests were made in June 2020 in the Poole and Bournemouth areas. After further investigation work, eight individuals have now been re-arrested, charged and are due to appear in court.

In total around eight kilograms of suspected class A drugs were seized during the investigation as well as a firearm and ammunition.

A 35-year-old man from Bournemouth and a 33-year-old Poole man have been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and purchasing a prohibited weapon.

A 43-year-old Bournemouth man has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing ammunition without holding a firearms certificate.

The three men are due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court today.

A 24-year-old man, also from Bournemouth has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of a class A drug with intent to supply. He is due to appear at Poole Magistrates' Court on Friday June 25.

A 34-year-old man from Bournemouth and a 43-year-old Bournemouth woman have been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs. They are due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday June 25.

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A 35-year-old Bournemouth man has been charged with being concerned in an arrangement which facilitates the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by another and participation in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. He is also due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday June 25.

A 40-year-old Bournemouth man has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday July 2.

Detective Inspector Jamie Halford, of Dorset Police, said: "We are determined to work with our partners to do all we can to disrupt the activities of those suspected of being involved in organised criminal networks supplying class A drugs in our county.

"As well as responding to information from national and regional crime-fighting partners, we also rely on information from members of the public to tackle suspected drug related activity in our communities.

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"I would urge anyone with information to report it at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101."

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Police Area (LPA) Commander Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan said: "We recognise the impact that the activities of those involved in this kind of activity has on our communities and we will do all we can to send a message that serious criminality of this nature will not be tolerated in Dorset.

"This investigation was led by our Serious Organised Crime Team, which is committed to disrupting the activities of organised crime networks, and I want to praise them for the hard work and commitment they have shown during this long running investigation. I would also like to thank all those from across the Force who have supported the operation."