THREE missing people have been found, 18 people arrested, and drugs worth £167,000 have been taken off the streets during a week-long crackdown on drugs gangs in Warwickshire.
Eight raids were conducted across the county during the County Lines Intensification Week, leading to the seizure of eight knives, two imitation firearms, and £6,800 in cash – while safeguarding was put in place for a further five vulnerable people.
Local police visited vulnerable people, raised awareness of the signs of exploitation among taxi drivers and hotel workers, and gave presentations at local schools and colleges.
Det Ch Insp Neil Readers, head of Warwickshire Police Proactive CID, said: “This was an extremely successful week that left drug dealers in Warwickshire significantly out of pocket. We also gathered a significant amount of intelligence that will help us to continue to target county lines criminals.
“Our intelligence has shown that following last week’s activity the supply of drugs in some parts of the county has dried up considerably; this is great news for local people. Unfortunately, we know this won’t last and this is why we are appealing for the public to help us tackle the problem.
“Please be aware of the signs of drug dealing and exploitation and report concerns to police. The information you provide be the missing piece that helps us to protect a vulnerable person, bring offenders to justice and take drugs off the streets.”
County Lines Intensification Week – which ran from October 3-10 – was part of national initiative to tackle the issue where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries.
A common feature in county lines drug supply is the exploitation of young and vulnerable people. They are targeted to act as drug runners so they can avoid detection by police.
In some cases dealers will take over a property belonging to a vulnerable person and use it to deal drugs from. This is known as cuckooing.
People exploited in this way will quite often be exposed to physical, mental and sexual abuse, and will sometimes be trafficked to areas a long way from home to sell drugs.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/2u73jfh4 for more information on spotting the signs of county lines drug crime and exploitation.
Visit www.warwickshire.police.uk/report or call 101 to report concerns around drugs and exploitation. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
