TWO men have been arrested as part of Hampshire Constabulary’s clamp down on drugs in Basingstoke.

As part of the forces Operation Fortress campaign, search warrants were carried out yesterday at addresses in Brighton Hill, Popley and South Ham, with drugs and weapons being seized.

At a one property in Abbey Road, Popley, officers found a small quantity of a suspected Class A drug and a can of CS gas.

Officers arrested a 43-year-old man from Basingstoke on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of a prohibited firearm.

He has been bailed until March 28, pending further enquiries.

A crossbow was also found at the house. This was seized by officers as nobody at the property would claim ownership of it.

Police also arrested a 29-year-old man, of no fixed abode, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs following a warrant at an address in Netherfield Place, but he was later released with no further action.

Inspector Ben Taylor, from the Basingstoke Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “These warrants underline our commitment to keep our communities safe from drug-related crime.

“Drug-dealing will not be tolerated in Basingstoke and we will continue to disrupt dealers’ activities.

“These warrants were carried out in part through concerns raised by the local community. This help is vital – if we don’t know about it, we can’t act on it.”

Further searches took place in Bach Close, Oakridge Road, St Michael’s Road and Wagner Close.

Operation Fortress is a campaign to reduce the harm of drug-related violence. If anyone has any concerns of drug-related crime they are asked to, call 101 or email operation.fortress@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.