The extensive and rigorous Operation Dream Alpha has successfully dismantled drug networks in Doncaster, leading to over 40 convictions and nearly 100 years of prison sentences.
Since May 2023, the operation has resulted in the arrest of over 100 individuals suspected of supplying drugs in Doncaster. Officers have executed numerous warrants and seized and destroyed illegal substances like heroin and cocaine.
Earlier this year, Inspector Adrian Luscombe of the Doncaster South Neighbourhood Policing Team commented on the operation’s “significant” impact on eliminating drug dealers from his jurisdiction.
A new map now highlights the areas across Doncaster where Operation Dream Alpha has made a difference, showing the locations of convicted criminals. More suspected dealers are expected to appear in court in weeks and months.
Through this operation, twelve convicted drug dealers from Balby have received prison sentences and other punishments. The city centre and areas such as Belle Vue, Wheatley, and Hyde Park have also felt the operation’s impact. Additionally, criminals in Edlington, Conisbrough, Mexborough, and Denaby Main have been convicted for supplying illegal drugs.
Inspector Luscombe remarked:
“We knew that drugs were being sold in towns and villages across the south of Doncaster, and we knew that a meticulously planned operation was needed to root out the suppliers and stop them from returning to the area.
I’ve been doing this job for 20 years and in that time, I’ve never been involved in a police operation that’s had a more significant impact as this one and that is testament to the hard work that has gone into bringing these criminals to justice.
Every drug deal happening on our streets was funding the activities of organised crime groups (OCGs), so by wiping out the suppliers, you disrupt their operations.
This creates a vacuum or void which has before been refilled but now we have a new Clear, Hold and Build (CHB) Strategy in place in Edlington to prevent this from happening.
The Clear phase has been successful and we are moving to the Hold process which has seen us carry out preventative work to stop people, particularly young people, from becoming involved with OCGs.
This operation was brought into force to act on concerns raised by you.
Members of the public were getting fed up of seeing drug dealers lurking in their areas and I know that teams have worked immensely hard to track people’s movements and gather intelligence to put this plan into action.
This operation has been in place for over two years now, and a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to bring drug dealers in Doncaster to justice.
So far, over 90 years’ worth of prison sentences have been handed out with over 40 people convicted, and we know there are more people due to appear before court for their crimes over the course of 2024.
The results have been impressive and that is thanks to everyone involved in this operation but we will refuse to rest on our laurels as we know there is still so much work to do.
As we move towards seeing the final prosecutions, we know that this operation has given us a platform to build on and push on from to ensure more suppliers of harmful drugs are brought to justice.
Our officers are continuing to execute warrants at premises across Doncaster under the Misuse of Drugs Act to root out drugs such as cocaine, heroin and cannabis and bring suppliers before the courts.
To do this, we need the public’s support, help and intelligence. Your information was pivotal in making this operation a success, and I would urge anyone with concerns over drug dealing in their area to continue reporting them to us so we can fully investigate.”
If you are concerned about drug-related crime in your area, or if you believe someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, please get in touch with the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also report information through the online portal: [South Yorkshire Police Reporting](https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/ro/report/).
For anonymous reporting, contact Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or online at [Crimestoppers UK](https://www.crimestoppers-uk.org).
