Multiple arrests following week of action to tackle County Lines in Cumbria

Police in Cumbria made 23 arrests and seized nearly £500,000 of suspected illegal cash during a week-long intensified focus on the issue of county lines drugs crime.

Officers aiming to stop communities and people being exploited also confiscated weapons including a zombie knife, a knuckle duster and an electronic stun gun.

As well as this, preventative work took place with the aim of ensuring people – especially children - don’t get mixed up in the world of county lines in the first place.

County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised networks involved in exporting drugs into other areas, using dedicated mobile phone lines.

Detective Inspector Sam Johnson said: “County lines can bring misery to communities, in the form of drug dealing and serious violence.

“That is why we work to catch those involved, disrupt these networks and stop gangs making inroads in the first place to prevent people being drawn in.”

“Let’s be clear: this is just a snapshot of the work our officers and staff carry out all-year-round.

“Ongoing work was intensified during this week of action - partly to make a statement to those involved in county lines so they know we will stop them.

“We will continue to pursue all drug traffickers and those who exploit people, including those using the county lines crime model.”