Over £1.5 million in drugs taken off the streets in County Lines Intensification Week

Last week, Monday 2 March to Sunday 8 March, saw the return of County Lines Intensification Week in which officers seized over £1.5 million worth of drugs.

The week of action sees officers from across our three counties tackling organised crime groups (OCGs) and the criminality they impose on our communities.

The intensification week is an opportunity to highlight the work officers carry out all year round to reduce crime linked to OCGs.

Over £1,500,000 worth of drugs were seized during warrants executed across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire during the week, with 73 arrests made.

Over £27k in cash linked to criminality was also seized, and 12 bladed weapons and three firearms were taken off the streets.

The activity resulted in six ‘lines’ being closed.

County lines is the name given to drug dealing where OCGs use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.

County lines criminality goes beyond drug dealing. The people in OCGs often exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with struggling with addiction, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs.

Criminals may also use a vulnerable person’s home as their base of operations, which is known as cuckooing, and often use violence and intimidation as a way of controlling them.

During the week of action officers also focused their efforts on safeguarding young and vulnerable people who are trapped in these situations.

29 addresses suspected to be subject to cuckooing were visited and 13 safeguarding referrals were made to external agencies for people at risk of exploitation, or for children who were in a home where there was suspected drug activity.

There are several signs to look out for that may indicate someone is involved in county lines:

Detective Sergeant Luke Papps from the Organised Crime Group Management Unit said: “Officers across our three counties work tirelessly all year around to detect and disrupt drug activity, and to protect people who are exploited at the hands of those behind the criminality.“Our aim for County Lines Intensification Week is to highlight exactly how officers tackle OCGs and raise awareness to the exploitation of young and vulnerable people who are so often a pawn in illegal activity.“The consequences of county lines can have detrimental effects on our communities, and we will continue to take robust action to stamp out drug activity.”

Anyone with suspicions that a property is being used to sell drugs, or that a young and vulnerable individual is involved with county lines drug dealing can report this via our website here. Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

More information about the warning signs of county lines can be found here.