ALMOST 100 people have been arrested in a major crackdown on drug dealing and child exploitation across the South West.

The coordinated operation, known as Operation Scorpion, brought together regional forces including Avon and Somerset Police, Dorset Police, Devon & Cornwall Police, Gloucestershire Constabulary and Wiltshire Police.

They were supported by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport Police.

The week-long effort targeted drug supply networks and the exploitation of children by organised crime groups through so-called county lines operations.

Officers carried out arrest warrants, vehicle stops and property searches across the region, using drones and intelligence-led policing to track suspected offenders.

Vulnerable people linked to the investigations were also identified and offered support after their details were found on seized phones.

In Wiltshire, officers arrested 26 people during the operation.

Drugs worth an estimated £380,000 were seized along with £22,500 in cash.

Officers discover a cannabis factory. (Picture: Wiltshire Police)

Ten weapons were also recovered, including six imitation firearms.

Police also visited 52 “cuckooed” addresses – properties where criminals take over the homes of vulnerable people to use as bases for drug dealing.

In total, 24 people in the county were identified as at risk and safeguarded.

The operation coincided with the national County Lines Intensification Week and was coordinated by Wiltshire Police.

Alongside enforcement activity, officers also carried out prevention work in the community.

Police delivered 22 talks in Wiltshire schools, speaking to nearly 1,000 students about County Lines and child criminal exploitation.

Officers also worked with police cadets to visit 26 hotels as part of the “Hotel Watch” scheme, helping staff identify potential signs of exploitation or criminal activity. Eleven of the venues failed the checks.

Meanwhile, testing of 32 vapes confiscated from schools found two contained illegal substances, including THC and Spice.

Police say the operation shows the scale of work underway to disrupt drug networks and protect vulnerable people across the region.