Source: Norfolk Police published on this website Thursday 30 July 2026 by Jill Powell
47 people have been arrested and 11 have been charged following a week of action, as a part of Operation Foxtail.
The operation, which took place on the A11, Thetford between 6-10 July, involved officers carrying out proactive enforcement activity focused on organised crime, immigration offences, driving offences, fraud and drug-related criminality. The week of intensification was funded by the Home Office following a successful bid.
Officers were joined by HMRC, the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). This allowed them to take a coordinated approach and deliver maximum impact by combining resources, powers and expertise.
The week of action resulted in 47 arrests and 11 charges for offences including fraudulent driving licences, immigration offences, drug supply, possession of criminal property, driving while disqualified and knife possession.
One of the men arrested was found to be in possession of suspected illegal tobacco. Further enquiries revealed he was also driving whilst disqualified and without any insurance. HMRC conducted checks on his vehicle and discovered he was using red diesel without a legitimate reason to do so. He was arrested and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning, where he was searched and officers found approximately £5,000 in his underwear. He was further arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
A second man was stopped by officers and approximately £8,000 was found within the glovebox of his vehicle. He had no driving licence, no insurance and was in the country illegally. He was charged and remanded into custody.
56 vehicles were seized during the week and 88 Traffic Offence Reports were issued.
Operation Foxtail is a multi-agency initiative aimed at disrupting organised criminality, protecting vulnerable people and tackling offences linked to exploitation, immigration crime and road safety.
Sgt Josh Preston said: "This latest Operation Foxtail activity demonstrates the value of proactive enforcement and partnership working. The results show our determination to target those involved in criminality, whether that is organised drug supply, immigration offences, fraud or dangerous driving.
"By working alongside partner agencies we are able to identify offenders, safeguard vulnerable people and take positive action against those who seek to exploit communities or use Norfolk's road network to commit crime."
