More than 80 arrests have been made in the North East and over £120,000 of cash has been seized amid a crackdown on cross-border drug dealing. Within one week a total of 12 deal lines were shut down across the region and large quantities of Class A and B drugs were seized, as well as two firearms.
A total of 84 people were arrested and results also showed that 16 vulnerable people in the North East had been safeguarded. It comes as Regional Organised Crime Units joined police and safeguarding partners to take part in a national coordinated operation against county lines – criminal networks who import and export illegal drugs through the use of dedicated phone or ‘deal’ lines, Chronicle Live reports.
Criminals involved in this ruthless practice typically groom children or use coercion and violence against vulnerable adults to store drugs and money with deals arranged via bulk text or social media messages.
The National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) oversaw the latest week of action, which began on 2 March.
NEROCU Regional County Lines Co-Ordinator Ian Randell, said: « This is just one example of the ongoing targeted activity carried out by police and partners throughout the year to tackle County Lines and protect all those impacted.
« We remain dedicated to tackling County Lines and we will not stop in our pursuit of organised criminals looking to hurt our North East communities with drug supply.
« The action we take is targeting those criminals who operate at a distance controlling and exploiting the young and vulnerable to undertake the storage and movement of cash and drugs often in violent and threatening circumstances.
« As always this type of intensification can’t be done without the excellent work of partners coming together as a united front and I want to thank everyone involved. ».
« This type of criminal network targets the most vulnerable members of our communities which is why we will not stop in our efforts to protect those at risk of being exploited by these criminal networks and I urge anyone with any information to report it. »
If you notice something that seems out of place or are aware of any vulnerable individuals who may be involved in County Lines, please contact your local police and help safeguard them. Alternatively, if you have concerns or information, you can ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555 or visit their website.
Source link
