Four people in custody amid county lines drugs operation across the South West
Avon and Somerset Police have been working with teams in the region and across the country to intercept county lines drugs gangs
Four people are now in custody for county lines drugs offences, as well as human trafficking and child exploitation after a partnership between police forces across the country.
Avon and Somerset police say it comes after months of intelligence gathering ahead of the arrests in Exeter, Torquay, London and Merseyside.
It's been called an 'outstanding example' of teamwork, with the force working with colleagues from Devon and Cornwall Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) to arrest a man and two boys when they visited addresses in Exeter and Torquay earlier this week.
A further man was arrested in London with support from the Metropolitan Police’s Op Orochi team.
Policing colleagues in Merseyside have also contributed to the operation.
Those arrested are:
- A 21-year-old man from Surrey – arrested on suspicion of being in possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and arranging/ facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
- An 18-year-old man from Exeter – arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and arranging/ facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
- A 17-year-old boy from Torquay – arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and arranging/ facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
- A 16-year-old boy from Torquay – arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs
Drugs, phones, cash, weapons, and other items were seized during searches of properties.
The arrests come following months of intelligence gathering by the police's dedicated County Lines team.
They tracked a suspected county lines operation thought to be importing crack cocaine and heroin into the area and exploiting children to move drugs around the region.
Officers say the South West is no place for drugs - adding they continue with their mission to disrupt the drugs market and other organised criminal groups.
Deputy Senior Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Stuart Hassell said: “Today’s operation is the culmination of many months of intensive work by our team, involving partnership working with our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall, SWROCU, the Metropolitan Police and Merseyside Police.
“The operation has been an outstanding example of cross-border and inter-agency working which has resulted in four people being arrested.”
You can continue to report any crimes online, by calling 101 or through contacting the Crimestoppers charity anonymously.