Over 20 arrested and £21k of drugs seized in operation targeting County Lines gangs
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More than 20 people have been arrested and over £21,000 worth of drugs were seized in North Wales last week as part of a national police operation.
It came as part of County Lines Intensification Week that targets drug dealers and County Lines gangs operating in our communities.
It ran from Monday November 25th to Sunday, December 1st and also saw a significant amount of cash seized, as well as the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
County Lines is the term used to describe drug dealing where mobile phones are used to supply drugs from large cities to towns and rural areas.
Lines are run by ‘line holders’ and the runners, often vulnerable people, deliver the drugs.
The system of drug distribution leads to serious violence and exploitation and their activities ultimately involves exploitation and the use of violence and lead to much wider crimes.
This latest week of action has led to:
- 23 arrests for a variety of offences
- Seizure of class A drugs with an estimated street value of over £21,000
- Seizure of several thousand pounds of cash
- Safeguarding visits to 40 vulnerable individuals
- Educational inputs to over 3,000 school children
During the week, officers worked alongside colleagues at Merseyside Police, British Transport Police (BTP) and partner agencies, including councils and housing associations to dismantle and disrupt criminal gangs.
It saw targeted disruptions and arrests, the execution of search warrants, mass awareness engagements, safeguarding visits to the vulnerable and joint operations – one of which took place earlier in the month with support from Merseyside Police’s Project Medusa in the Gwynedd area.
Positive stop searches have led to the recovery of drug dealing phones, cash and drugs including heroin and crack cocaine, whilst residential searches have led to further drug and cash seizures, leading in turn to a number of arrests.
It follows recent disruptions across the force as part of a sustained effort to tackle individuals and groups involved in County Lines.
North Wales Police DCI Paul Byron said: “Drug dealing is toxic.
“It can’t operate without violence and exploitation, and it ultimately affects everyone in our communities as it drives crime and anti-social behaviour at all levels.
“We are committed to protecting the public and tackling the threat that individuals and groups involved in this type of criminality present.
“Our aim is to create a hostile environment for those who wish to cause us harm and I would urge everyone in the community to help us in our campaign to target them and collectively make North Wales the safest place in the UK.”
The week also marked the launch of a regional ‘Eyes Open’ campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the threat of County Lines and the signs of exploitation amongst children and vulnerable people.
North Wales Police’s response to County Lines also forms part of a wider initiative to tackle Serious and Organised Crime within its communities under ‘Project Draig’.
The signs of drug supply will be visible in the community and can include suspicious patterns of activity, frequent visitors at specific locations and addresses and unexplained wealth.
For more information on the signs of exploitation, visit https://eyes-open.co.uk.