Priority monkey dust operation sees arrests and seizures

More than 30 arrests have been made and 25kg of suspected monkey dust has been seized as part of a priority operation targeting the illegal substance across Staffordshire.

Operation Rivent, which is a force priority, has seen the following take place in the last six months:

Out of those arrested, a total of seven individuals were women, with one woman arrested twice on related offences. The majority of the arrests took place in Stoke-on-Trent, followed by Stafford and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Since the operation became a force priority, we have received 138 intelligence reports relating to the supply of monkey dust in the county.

Officers have also seized four vehicles and three firearms as well as knives and cash.

Superintendent Phil Bryan, who leads the operation, said: “Operation Rivent has generated positive outcomes through arrests, seizures, safeguarding and intelligence development, enhancing the understanding of local supply networks and creating further opportunities for disruption and enforcement.

“We will continue our work to disrupt supply networks, safeguarding vulnerable individuals and reducing the harm associated with monkey dust across Staffordshire throughout the remainder of 2026.”

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