Arrests, drugs and cash seized in City County Lines crackdown

Sixteen people were arrested and two drug lines dismantled by City of London Police officers during the latest County Lines intensification week.

Officers seized a large quantity of wraps of cocaine, 36 bags of cannabis, crystal meth and 20 bags of MDMA. Also seized were three knives, an air pistol and £11,700 in cash.

Police forces across the country have taken part in the national County Lines intensification week cracking down on drug traffickers.

The Serious and Organised Crime Team carried out warrants at addresses linked to drug supply. One of the suspects targeted was arrested after officers seized a substantial amount of cocaine and cannabis and over £7,000.

Arrests were made by the Targeted Intercept and Tactical ANPR team (TITAN) after a vehicle was stopped. During a search, officers found a quantity of Class A and Class B drugs hidden in the window control panel.

The driver was arrested for possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and officers seized a mobile phone and two large nitrous oxide cannisters.

Detective Sergeant Lee Warrington, of the City of London police, said:

“Organised criminal gangs seek to profit from the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and young people, spreading misery and the violence that is frequently associated with it.

“We are committed to dismantling the trade in illegal drugs every day of the year and arrest and lock up the people responsible.

“By shutting down drug lines and confiscating drugs and cash, we are sending a very strong message to anyone thinking about bringing Class A drugs onto the streets of City of London: we will create a hostile environment for dealers, we relentlessly pursue those responsible and bring them to justice and we will safeguard those already affected by this kind of criminality.”

City of London Police officers worked in partnership with British Transport Police and the National Crime Agency in high-visibility patrols, during an operation at Britain’s busiest railway station, Liverpool Street station.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out school visits to help educate children about County Lines criminality and how they can avoid being exploited.

Officers also visited hotels and licenced premises to raise awareness and educate staff on County Lines.

County Lines is the term used to describe drug dealing where mobile phones are used to supply drugs, typically from large cities to towns and rural areas. County Lines are run by ‘line holders’ and the runners, often vulnerable people, deliver the drugs. The runners are often children being exploited and may possess knives or other weapons. The system of drug distribution leads to serious violence and exploitation.

Young children and vulnerable adults are often groomed to run drugs from one city to other parts of the country. Grooming is often followed by extreme violence and coercive behaviour.

During the intensification week, 1,434 children and vulnerable adults were actively safeguarded, with police forces working with relevant services and charities, using a variety of options available to them, including specialist support referrals, strategy meetings, safety plans created and Modern Slavery Crime reports.

The intensification week across the UK saw:

• 1,660 people arrested.
• 261 lines closed.
• 557 weapons seized, including 75 firearms and 377 bladed weapons, 105 other weapons.
• Over £3m worth of Class A and Class B drugs seized.
• 2kg of Crack Cocaine, 6.1kg of Heroine, 33.5kg of Cocaine and around 19,000 Cannabis plants seized.
• £1.98m in cash seized.
• 1,434 people safeguarded.
• 853 cuckooed addresses visited.
• Four XL Bully dogs seized.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for County Lines, Commander Paul Brogden, said:

“Policing continues to disrupt and dismantle County Lines networks across England and Wales. The latest intensification week figures show policing continuing to make inroads into these criminal networks. During the latest intensification week, we closed 261 County Lines and targeted the drug dealers who destroy lives and communities, resulting in over 1,660 criminals arrested during the week.

“The relentless enforcement activity, as showcased during this and previous intensification weeks, has led to changes in the County Lines business model, as drug dealers seek to adapt and evade detection. We will continue to be agile in our approach to continue to effectively suppress and disrupt drugs supply chains.

“However, County Lines drug dealing continues to be linked with the most serious violence, demonstrated through the horrific weapons seized across the week, where we saw 557 weapons seized, which included 75 firearms, 377 bladed weapons, 105 other weapons like knuckledusters, nun chucks and hammers.

“This is why we continue to focus on a prevention-first approach to tackling County Lines, with over 1,400 people safeguarded during the week, of which 48 per cent were children. Stopping people being drawn in, whilst working to prepare communities for the impact of County Lines is vital. Protecting children and vulnerable adults, safeguarding them from harm, along with relentlessly pursuing offenders remains one of our key priorities.”