A WEEK-long crackdown on ‘county lines’ drug gangs in Warwickshire has resulted in 20 arrests – and the seizure of Class A drugs, £33,000 in cash, and various weapons.
Warwickshire Police confiscated suspected heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis in a series of raids across the county, coordinated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
Officers also carried out vehicle stops, visits to people at risk of exploitation, and training and awareness sessions at schools, colleges, hotels and transport companies.
In total, 20 people were arrested – six of whom have since been charged and 14 were released under investigation or bailed – with more than £33,000 in cash seized as well as machetes, knives and baseball bats.
Several vulnerable people were also identified and will be provided with the relevant support.
County lines involves groups travelling from large urban areas to smaller county locations to sell or collect drugs and deliver cash.
The groups may challenge existing ones from the area in a bid to take over the local market, which can cause an increase in violence.
They can also use local properties as a base for their activities often acquired by force or coercion – referred to as ‘cuckooing.’
Det Ch Insp Neil Reader said: “The force continues to work tirelessly in its bid to tackle, disrupt and dismantle drugs supply as well as doing everything we can to protect those young and vulnerable individuals who are often exploited by this in our communities.
“The week involved us working with various departments in the force as well as alongside our partner agencies and we are delighted with the outcome as we know it will have a positive impact across the county.
“Our overriding aim is to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities from harm while bringing offenders to justice and we will continue to pursue and prosecute those who bring drugs into our counties, commit violence and exploit vulnerable members of our communities.
“Our message is clear – if you come to Warwickshire to deal drugs you are not welcome and we are looking out for you.”
He added police needed the public to report suspicious activity to help them tackle the issue.
He said: “The information you provide may be the missing piece of the jigsaw that helps us to arrest a criminal, seize drugs or protect a vulnerable person – so please get in touch.”
Anyone with suspicions that a property is being used to sell drugs, or that a young or vulnerable person may be involved with county lines drug dealing, is asked to report it online, call police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/259ksd52 for more information about county lines.
