Joint operation to tackle county lines leads to four arrests

A joint operation between Wiltshire Police and the Metropolitan Police to tackle county lines drug dealing between London and Swindon took place yesterday.

Officers from Operation Fortitude and the local Community Policing Teams in Swindon alongside officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) Operation Orochi conducted a number of warrants throughout both force areas resulting in four arrests.

Toran Ali, 23, of Walpole Road, Tottenham, London has been charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A Controlled Drug in relation to both Crack Cocaine and Heroin and has been remanded to prison until a Pre-Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) on January 28, 2022.

David Kalala, 19, of Cazenove Road, Hackney, London has been charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A Controlled Drug in relation to both Crack Cocaine and Heroin and has been remanded to prison until a Pre-Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) on January 28, 2022.

Charlie Mcculloch, 19, of Somerville Road, Walcot, Swindon has been charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A Controlled Drug in relation to both Crack Cocaine and Heroin and has been given conditional bail until a Pre-Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) on January 28, 2022.

Darren Darville, 45, of Calvert Road, Walcot, Swindon has been charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A Controlled Drug in relation to both Crack Cocaine and Heroin and has been given conditional bail until a Pre-Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) on January 28, 2022.

PC Chris White, of the Fortitude Team, said: “County line drug dealing has a huge impact on our communities here in Swindon. Often those involved will target those who are most vulnerable in our communities and will exploit them in order to get a grip of the local area, in order to supply drugs. The actions of those involved is barbaric and destroys families and communities. We won’t tolerate drug dealing in Swindon and will do everything within our power to ensure that they are dealt with robustly.”

Sgt James Rodrigues, of the Fortitude Team said: “County line drug dealing is serious and organised criminality which strikes at the heart of communities across the country. It results in vulnerable adults and children being exploited in order for drugs to be sold and it is an ongoing issue which Wiltshire Police are committed to tackling through joint operations such as this one. PC White and our colleagues from the MPS have conducted a meticulous investigation in order to identify those responsible for this reprehensible criminality.”

This activity falls under Project Optimise – Wiltshire Police’s approach to serious and organised crime.

The community plays a vital role in helping us tackle serious and organised crime. If you suspect a crime or believe someone is being exploited, call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.