Three men arrested on suspicion of drug offences in Harrogate
It's part of police efforts to clampdown on county lines drug dealing.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of drug offences in Harrogate yesterday (17 May) as police continue the crackdown on county lines drug dealing.
Officers from North Yorkshire Police’s proactive team, Operation Expedite, were on patrol in plain clothes in the Avenue Grove area when their suspicions were raised by the activity of a man who was stopped and searched and found to have class A drugs on him.
Enquiries then led officers to search a nearby property where they found three other men who were also searched. Officers recovered more drugs stashed in a mattress, £200 in cash from one of the men and other suspected drugs paraphernalia including three mobile phones. A fourth man was also arrested on suspicion of theft offences.
The arrested men include a Leeds man, aged 50, arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin with intend to supply. He has been released on police bail while enquiries continue.
A 39-year-old Harrogate man arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs.
A 38-year-old Harrogate man arrested on suspicion of theft, possessing class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
A fourth man, aged 26, from Harrogate, was arrested on suspicion of a number of theft offences. All three have been released while under investigation to allow for further enquiries to be carried out.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activity about drug dealing in their neighbourhood to the police on 101. Or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.
Police are also urging people to report any signs that someone they know is being exploited by criminals and forced to work for them. This can include what is known as ‘cuckooing’, where drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person – who are often drug users themselves – and use it to store and sell drugs.
Signs of “cuckooing” to look out for include:
- Increased callers at a property
- Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
- Different accents at a property
- Increased antisocial behaviour at a property
- Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
- Unfamiliar vehicles at the property
- Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods
- Communal doors propped open
Please also look out for the signs that a young person you know might be exploited by drug dealers:
- Persistently going missing from school or home and / or being found out-of-area
- Unexplained money, clothes, or mobile phones
- Excessive receipt of texts / phone calls
- Relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups
- Leaving home / care without explanation
- Suspicion of physical assault / unexplained injuries
- Carrying weapons
- Significant decline in school results / performance
- Gang association or isolation from peers or social networks
- Self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being
Call the police on 101 or visit our website for partner agencies who can offer help and support - more information can be found here.