81 people arrested during County Lines crack down

A total of 81 people across the country have been arrested during a national County Lines intensification week.

The initiative took place between 25 November and 1 December with the aim of safeguarding young and vulnerable people who are exploited by criminals trafficking illegal drugs to smaller communities.

County Lines drug dealers from larger cities expand their criminal activity into smaller towns and communities to exploit young and vulnerable people.

The criminals will use the individuals to sell drugs, carry cash and weapons and can also take over a vulnerable person's home which is known as "cuckooing".

During the week-long crack down, 66 people were safeguarded and officers visited 79 addresses, 25 of these were being used by drug dealers as a cuckooing house.

As a result, 81 people were arrested and 54 evidential search warrants were carried out, leading to the discovery of Class A drugs including heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine.

Offensive weapons including a machete, an axe, four lock knives, two bottles of corrosive substance and a can of pepper spray were also seized.

Officers also discovered an electric bike, an electric scooter, four vehicles and 87 mobile phones.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn said: "Protecting those vulnerable people in our communities, particularly the children and young people who are all too often coerced, groomed and threatened by County Lines drug dealers remains a priority for Police Scotland officers.

“We work tirelessly in partnership with a wide range of organisations, including the members of Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, to target individuals who snare them and force them to carry out crimes on their behalf.”

County Lines in North East

Six County Lines drugs and organised crime groups have been targeted in the North East since June.

Officers discovered Class A drugs, including crack cocaine and diamorphine, were being moved between London, Liverpool and Hertfordshire to addresses in Aberdeen.

63 people were arrested in connection as part of the operation with 38 search warrants executed in the city.

The joint investigation also led to search warrants carried out in England's capital where officers from Scotland's North East Division and The MET Police arrested a woman, 34, and two men, aged 39 and 68.

Drugs worth an estimated value of more than £207,000 were seized as well as a significant sum of cash.

Intensification week

Speaking about activity during the County Lines intensification week, Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn said: “The positive results during the intensification week are an example of our continuing work in support of national initiatives aimed at frustrating and disrupting the activities of those who involved in County Lines drugs dealing.

“Organised criminals don’t care about anyone other than themselves and they only care about power and money. They travel to exploit vulnerable people in our communities and their criminality is simply not welcome in Scotland and will not be tolerated.”

Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: "I welcome the very positive results achieved by Police Scotland to dismantle county lines operations which are run by ruthless criminals whose only motivation is to make money by cruelly exploiting some of the most vulnerable in society.

“Partners on Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce are fully committed to using all means at their disposal to identify and support those at risk and ensure that those responsible are held to account.”

Assistant Chief Constable Freeburn concluded: “Anyone who has concerns about County Lines or information about who may be involved in this insidious criminal activity should get in touch with Police Scotland or anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers."

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