Over £20 million of Class A substances have been seized by Dyfed Powys Police as part of anti-drugs operations in the past three years.

New figures, released as part of the "Deep Dive Scrutiny Review" into the force's approach to tackling illegal drugs, also show 117 people have been convicted of serious drug offences amidst a backdrop of a 49% increase in trafficking cases.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llwelellyn said he was "encouraged" by what he describes as a pro-active approach to the issue from officers in the region, but he says a multi-agency approach was required to make further progress.

"I am encouraged by the way in which Dyfed-Powys Police tackle illegal drug trafficking and the pro-active response that police officers have taken to address this," he said.

"This demonstrates a clear link between the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan and the way in which policing is delivered across Dyfed-Powys.

"The issues highlighted in my report cannot be solved by Policing alone. This requires a multi-agency approach. There is a need for partner agencies to review the impact that drug consumption facilities might have on the communities of Dyfed-Powys, and the benefits these may have on the reduction of drug related harm.

"In light of this review, I have made a series of recommendations to the Chief Constable, which I am confident he and his team will progress. I will be reviewing this progress over the coming months."

In 2018, properties in Llandrindod Wells, Montgomery, Builth Wells and Newtown were subject to high-profile raids as part of a joint operation conducted by the force’s Serious and Organised Crime Team and the National Crime Agency against so-called 'County Lines' drug operations.

County lines is an emerging national issue, where organised crime groups from urban areas such as London, Liverpool and Birmingham put children and vulnerable adults between themselves and the risk of detection by manipulating them into carrying and selling drugs. ‘Runners’ will be sent across county boundaries to areas like Llanelli, Newtown, and Haverfordwest to deliver or sell Class A drugs at the other end of the line.

The report says: "County lines issues have resulted in an increase in drug use and supply in certain areas of Dyfed-Powys, predominantly Powys and Llanelli. Dyfed-Powys Police are aware of the impact of these Organised Crime Groups and county lines activities and the serious violence tactics that these groups can use.

"There is a need for Dyfed-Powys Police to work with partners agencies to deliver a localised, targeted drug intelligence gathering campaign. This would allow specific intelligence to be gathered in known drug hot spot areas, maximising the impact that drug related intelligence can have."

The report concludes that while extensive work has been carried out in terms of drug disruption operations, "it has not resulted in less class A substances being available throughout our communities, nor has it affected the demand for such substances."

Several recommendations have been made as a result of the report, including engaging partner agencies such as CrimeStoppers to run intelligence gathering and the development of consistent ‘drug supply and treatment’ protocols between - Police and specialist substance misuse providers.

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