14 arrested as part of county lines drug dealing and exploitation crack down
During the operation, large quantities of Class A and B drugs were seized, along with several dangerous weapons
Fourteen people have been arrested in Blackpool following a major two-day operation targeting county lines drug dealing and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
The activity, which took place on Thursday 18 September and Friday 19 September, saw Blackpool Police work with Merseyside Police’s Project Medusa team to disrupt organised crime groups operating in the resort.
During the operation, large quantities of Class A and B drugs were seized, along with several dangerous weapons. Warrants were executed at properties across the town, while officers also carried out increased patrols, both in uniform and plain clothes, to intercept suspected street-level drug deals.
The crackdown was led by Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery), a specialist team in Blackpool that combines enforcement with support services to tackle Class A drug use. The initiative takes a trauma-informed approach, aiming to address the root causes of addiction while targeting those profiting from drug supply.
Among the arrests and outcomes:
A 24-year-old man was detained after being seen in a suspected hand-to-hand drug deal. He was found with a Kinder egg containing suspected crack cocaine, two phones, a knife, and cash. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.
An 18-year-old man from Staffordshire and two teenagers, aged 17 and 14 from Wolverhampton, were arrested on suspicion of drug supply after a search of a Blackpool hotel room uncovered a phone believed to be linked to a West Midlands organised crime group. They have been bailed with conditions not to enter Lancashire.
A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs after officers seized suspected heroin, crack cocaine, and £1,290 in cash. A search of his home raised safeguarding concerns for children present, leading to a referral to social services. He has been released on bail.
A 34-year-old man was arrested after cannabis was found on him. Further cannabis, cash, and snap bags were recovered from his home, where officers also raised child safeguarding concerns. He has been released on bail.
Jacob Willis (21), of St Chadds Road, Blackpool, was charged and remanded for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine. He pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 22 October.
Police say the joint operation underlines their determination to crack down on county lines gangs while safeguarding children and vulnerable adults who are exploited by drug dealers.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Clitheroe from Blackpool Police said: “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing those who exploit vulnerable individuals through county lines and drug dealing. Our teams, with support from Merseyside Police’s Project Medusa, have taken action to disrupt criminal networks, safeguard those at risk, and bring offenders to justice.
“Criminal Gangs exploit vulnerable children across the UK, they coerce them into involvement in the supply of drugs with the promise of a better life or financial reward. These gangs do not care about anyone or anything other than making money and every intervention is a chance to break this cycle and build a safer community.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners and communities to ensure that our streets are safer and that those who seek to profit from exploitation are held accountable."