A CRACKDOWN on drug gangs has resulted in 50 arrests and the confiscation of drugs and over £20,000 over the last two weeks.
Officers from across Warwickshire Police executed warrants at addresses across the county – including homes in Leamington, Stratford and Rugby – and carried out various vehicle stops, as part of a focus on targeting county lines drug dealing.
It was Warwickshire Police’s response to the national county lines week of action, coordinated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
A police spokesperson said they had seized ‘significant amounts’ of heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis, while safeguarding vulnerable people and people at risk.
Vehicles, more than £20,000 in cash, imitation firearms and knives, and 41 phones suspected to be linked to drug dealing were also recovered – vital in disrupting the county lines movement and providing officers with key intelligence.
‘County lines’ activity involves a group from a large urban area travelling to smaller locations to sell drugs. They may challenge an existing group from the local area or another county lines group in order to take over the local market – which often causes an increase in violence.
The groups travel between urban and county locations on a regular basis to collect drugs and deliver cash. They will use local properties as a base for their activities – often acquired by force or coercion, referred to as ‘cuckooing’.
Det Insp Chris Cook said: “This targeted activity on county lines gangs demonstrates how our officers are working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle drugs supply and protect the young and vulnerable people who are exploited by them within our communities.
“This may have been two weeks of activity but this disruption will not stop and operations such as these are very much ‘business as usual’ for us.
“With 50 arrests made, various warrants served and cars stopped we have significantly disrupted county lines activity across the county and have safeguarded a number of vulnerable people.
“Tackling county lines drug dealing remains a priority for Warwickshire Police. We will continue to pursue and prosecute those who bring drugs into our counties, commit violence and exploit vulnerable members of our communities.”
Anyone with suspicions that a property is being used to sell drugs from, or that a young or vulnerable person may be getting involved with county lines drug dealing, is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
