Three arrests as part of East Lancashire county lines investigation
Early-morning drugs raids have taken place in Burnley and Padiham.
Three people have been arrested as part of a week of action tackling county lines offending in East Lancashire.
Yesterday (May 24) officers carried out simultaneous early-morning drugs warrants at addresses in Burnley and Padiham as part of an operation focussing on the exploitation of children being coerced into dealing Class A drugs in the towns.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply Class A drugs, with officers finding phones, cash and heroin with an approximate street value of £35,000.
Among the officers involved in the arrests were targeting teams, Engage, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, the Exploitation Team and response officers.
Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Zeeshan Khan, 23, of Russell Terrace, Padiham; Mitchell Brookes, 19, of Nairne Street, Burnley; and a 17-year-old boy from Burnley; were all charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. They were all due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates this morning (May 25).
As well as targeted pro-active work, officers worked alongside partner agencies to provide intervention activities aimed at reaching youngsters before they become victims of county lines.
These included talks in schools provided by Parents Against Child Exploitation, engaging with vulnerable families and ensuring key contacts, such as taxi drivers, are aware of the signs of county lines.
DI Martin Melvin, who leads on Child Exploitation in The East of the county , said: "The work carried out as part of the County Lines Intensification Week has been hugely successful and has been a great example of all functions of policing in East Lancashire working together to disrupt organised crime and protect the most vulnerable members of society.
"Although this work came as part of a week of action, we will continue to target organised criminal gangs who seek to exploit children into dealing Class A drugs. We are also committed to working with our partners to put intervention measures in place to stop youngsters being dragged into this miserable and violent lifestyle."