Multi-Agency Project Servator Disrupts Drug Supply Network in Barrow-in-Furness

A joint Project Servator deployment in Barrow-in-Furness has resulted in three arrests and the disruption of suspected drug supply activity, following a Project Servator deployment involving multiple police forces.

Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Project Servator officers, supported by Local Intelligence Officer DC Coleman, PD Teddy and handler PC Hillan, worked alongside the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC), British Transport Police (BTP), Royal Navy Police, and Border Force during the deployment on Park Road.

During the deployment, a vehicle failed to stop when directed by MDP officers but was quickly detained by a joint MDP and BTP unit. Subsequent searches under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act led to the arrest of a 43-year-old man, a 23-year-old woman, and a 20-year-old woman on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A controlled substance. The 43-year-old man also faces charges of failing to appear at magistrates' court and failing to stop for police.

The vehicle was suspected to be involved in county lines activity and organised crime groups supplying drugs into the Barrow area. Officers discovered cash, bags, white powder, and cannabis during the initial search.

Following the arrests, officers from the MDP Project Servator team, CNC, and Cumbria Police conducted Section 18 searches at three addresses in Millom, where they located further evidence including scales, bags, white powder believed to be cocaine, tablets suspected to be ecstasy, and cannabis. Enquiries are ongoing.

Project Servator: Building a Network of Vigilance

Project Servator is a specialist policing tactic designed to disrupt criminal activity (including terrorism) through unpredictable, highly visible deployments. It relies on officers who are specially trained to spot tell-tale signs that someone may be carrying out hostile reconnaissance – information gathering that may help them plan or prepare to commit a crime and works by creating a network of vigilance involving police, partner agencies, and the public.

These deployments can happen anywhere, at any time, and utilise a range of resources including uniformed and plain-clothes officers, police dogs, vehicle checkpoints, CCTV, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.

The operation demonstrates the importance of collaborative policing in protecting Defence sites and local communities. The suspected drugs, if they had reached the local area, could potentially have affected workers at nearby Defence establishments.

"Project Servator is about being unpredictable and visible. When we work together with our partners and the public, we create an environment where criminals simply cannot operate safely.”

“This deployment demonstrates how we've disrupted what we believe to be organised criminal activity that posed a risk not just to the Defence community, but to the wider Barrow area.”

"This is why building that network of vigilance is so important. The public are our eyes and ears, and we encourage anyone who sees something suspicious to report it. Together, we can keep our communities and Defence sites safe."

PS Calladine, Barrow Project Servator Sergeant

"By working together and sharing information and resources across multiple agencies, we can respond quickly and effectively to potential threats. The public can be confident that we're working tirelessly to protect both the Defence estate and the local community."

DC Coleman, Local Intelligence Officer

While returning from Millom, the Project Servator team also provided initial response to a two-vehicle road traffic collision, closing the road and liaising with Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Northwest Ambulance Service until Cumbria Police arrived. Fortunately, all parties involved were uninjured.

MDP encourages anyone who sees suspicious activity to report it immediately by speaking to an officer or calling 0300 1232 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

For more information about Project Servator, visit: gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-defence-police-project-servator