FOUR people in Basingstoke have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs as part of a police operation to tackle drug-related crime in the town.

Officers from the northern serious crime proactive team carried out an operation to target a number of individuals suspected of being involved with drug dealing across Basingstoke, on July 22 as part of Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Fortress campaign.

On July 22, police carried out a warrant at a property in Cayman Close, in Popley and at Betjeman House in Shelley Close, Popley and five people were arrested and charged.

Charles Bee, 44, of Betjaman House, Shelley Close, Deanne Hopley, 31, of Norrie Court, Rooksdown, Andrew Neal, 43, of Norrie Court, Rooksdown and Jason King, 40, of Dryden Close, Popley were all charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

In addition, Fawzi Salaad, 19, of Harrow, London was also charged with the same offence.

All five have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on August 19.

Detective Inspector Steve Spencer said: “This operation was part of our commitment to ridding communities of drugs and any associated violence.

“We want to make Basingstoke a hostile place for those suspected of being involved in drug dealing and crimes linked to drugs.

"We need the help of the public, if you have any information about drugs in your community, please contact us. The more information we have, the more we can do about it.”

As part of the campaign, officers are keen to hear from anyone who is concerned about illegal drugs or drug-related crime in their neighbourhood.

Signs to look out for include a sudden increase in visitors to a house or flat and people only staying for a very short time, short exchanges between small groups of people at or close to a flat or house, people loitering in an area and using their mobile phones frequently and new or hire cars parked outside a house or flat that wouldn’t normally be there, and being driven by somebody that you wouldn’t normally associate with driving that style of car.

To report any concerns, call the police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. Alternatively, information can be left anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.