TEN people have been arrested as part of an operation targeting drug dealing in south Cumbria.

Police seized heroin, crack cocaine, a taser and cash from properties in Kendal and Barrow as part of Operation Torpedo.

DI Helen Ellis said: “We are aware that people have been traveling from places like Liverpool and Manchester to south Cumbria to sell Class A drugs. This operation shows we will not tolerate this illegal activity in our local communities. We will continue to work hard to stop drugs coming into south Cumbria, and bring anyone found selling drugs to justice.

“Drug dealing affects everyone in a community, and can affect crime levels and make people feel unsafe. This is completely unacceptable and we will do everything possible to protect local people from the damaging effects of drugs.”

Four people were arrested after a warrant was executed at a property on Stricklandgate in Kendal on September 7.

They were Dominic Eve, 37, of Stricklandgate, Kendal; Samantha Davidson, 41, of no fixed abode; Thomas McClennan, 21, of August Road, Liverpool and Coral Packwood, 25, of Broad Ing Crescent, Kendal.

They were all jointly charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

And on Wednesday, James Powell, 21, of Ling Tree Road, Liverpool was arrested at Rinkfield in Kendal and was charged with possession with intent to supply.

On Saturday, A 15-year-old man from Southport; Ryan Mitchell, 42, of Westmorland Street, Barrow and 38-year-old woman from Pennine were arrested following street activity in Barrow.

15-year-old man was charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, and possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Mitchell charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

38-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in supply of heroin. She has been bailed until October 26.

And yesterday (Thursday), Kenneth Smith, 28, St Vincents Street, Barrow, was charged with four offences including possession with intent to supply heroin, possession of class C controlled drug, possession of controlled class B drug and possession of a prohibited weapon, following an arrest warrant at St Vincent Street in town.

A 24-year-old Barrow woman was also arrested following a warrant at Glasgow Street in town.

 Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “Cumbria is a safe place to live and we won’t tolerate people coming into our county to sell drugs. 

"This has been a good police operation to stop drugs coming into south Cumbria and sends a strong message to criminals that we will not accept drug crime in Cumbria and we will take strong action to stop it.”

Anyone who has any information about illegal drugs or suspicious activity in their area should call Cumbria Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.