Coventry teenager arrested for drugs offences
The 17-year-old was arrested after a stop and search in Leamington and police are warning people about the signs of county lines.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested in Leamington on Monday (5 Sept) on suspicion of possessing drugs.
Members of Leamington’s proactive CID team carried out a stop search of an individual in Victoria Park on Monday afternoon.
A quantity of suspected class A drugs, cash and a mobile phone were seized while the teenager from Coventry was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
He has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Warwickshire Police are warning people about the signs of county lines. This is where organised criminal groups use phone lines to move drugs between regions, usually from cities to smaller towns and rural areas. They often exploit vulnerable people - including children as young as 12 and those with mental health or addiction issues - by recruiting them to distribute drugs.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Wolsey said: “We know the impact drugs have on our communities and the associated crime they bring and we will take any opportunity we can to remove drugs from our streets.
“Drugs can cause untold misery and damage to people’s lives and we will always act on information we receive to tackle drugs and county lines networks."
Signs someone is being exploited by county lines drug gangs include:
- Missing school
- Changes in behaviour
- Access to several phones
- Carrying weapons
- Unexplained expensive gifts
- Travelling alone to places away from home
- Receiving more messages than usual
- Carrying or selling drugs
- Hanging out with older people
- Being more reserved
- Unexplained injuries