Operation Tsunami

This is the biggest operation of its kind seen in Peterborough in recent years, following the success of the county’s largest drugs operation – Op Hypernova – which ran in the autumn of 2022.

Since April 2020, there has been 28 attempted murders within Peterborough, 14 of those were directly related to drugs and 64 percent of those used a blade or knife, which is why we came up with a new operation to focus on the drugs supply market within the city to particularly focus on these areas.

There is a considerable amount of work leading up to any period of enforcement of this magnitude, looking at those individuals that are causing the most threat, harm and risk to the community.

We looked at drugs supply lines which were involved in the criminal and sexual exploitation of children, serious street-based violence, knife crime and all of the associated anti-social behaviour which causes concern for our communities.

Our officers carried out raids and proactive arrests over three weeks across Peterborough and surrounding areas following months of intelligence gathering into those involved in class A drug supply.

This intelligence gathering and information sharing was supported by partner agencies, who we continue to work with to provide ongoing support to those vulnerable to exploitation.

Crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin and cannabis worth more than £250,000 has been seized along with thousands of pounds in cash and assets including vehicles and designer clothing.

Assistant Chief Constable, Vicki Evans, said: “As a force, we have moved on a huge amount in the past 12 months in terms of our response to tackling organised criminality, alongside working with partner agencies to prevent and disrupt those responsible for causing harm in our communities.

“Our pursuit of those involved in serious and organised crime has intensified, with our county’s biggest ever operation to tackle exploitation and illegal drugs - Operation Hypernova – in October, which resulted in 44 arrests and 31 people being charged with 139 drug and human trafficking offences. Thirty county lines were also dismantled.

“This enforcement work has continued this year with Operation Tsunami tackling organised crime, exploitation and drug dealing in Peterborough, which has also seen a significant impact on the drugs network in the city, taking out some key individuals and putting them before the courts.

“We hope this operation gives reassurance to our communities that if you give us information about people you think are dealing drugs or exploiting others, we will take it seriously and whilst you may not always see the results straight away, rest assured that we are always working in the background and at the right time we will strike and take that enforcement action.”

Anyone who is concerned about drug-related crime in their area or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation should report it to us online or call 101. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers.org.uk.

• Neighbourhood officers catch drug dealer in the act – 10 March 2023
• Driver stopped with more than £4,000 of class A drugs – 15 June 2023
• Jail for Peterborough class A drug dealer – 10 July 2023
• Class A drug dealer “ran out of luck” – 13 July 2023 
• Gun-wielding drug dealer ordered to hand over £12,000 - 19 July 2023
• Man jailed as part of county lines operation – 17 August 2023
• Peterborough cocaine dealer jailed – 7 September 2023
• County lines dealer hid £7k stash in tissue box – 15 September 2023
• Jail for Peterborough class A drug dealer – 9 October 2023
• Jail for Peterborough crack cocaine dealer – 31 October 2023
• Pair jailed a part of county lines operation – 3 November 2023
• Peterborough drugs “runner” jailed | Cambridgeshire Constabulary (cambs.police.uk) - 29 November 2023
• Jail for man who supplied cocaine – 31 January 2024
• Class A dealer jailed as part of drugs operation – 9 February 2024
• Men jailed for operating “Ghost” drugs line – 30 April 2024