Six arrested in Blackpool drugs operation

Officers from Lancashire Police and Merseyside Police joined forces this week as part of a major operation targeting County Lines gangs bringing drugs into Blackpool.

On Wednesday (July 6) police took part in Operation Medusa, aimed at disrupting the supply of drugs by organised criminal groups.

The operation followed intelligence suggesting drugs gangs from Liverpool were expanding their operations into the resort, using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs – also known as County Lines.

Ch Supt Karen Edwards, of Blackpool Police, said: “Coercion, threats and serious violence – everyday people, including children and teenagers, are being targeted by organised crime groups wanting to exploit the most vulnerable in our communities.

“County Lines is an increasingly significant threat, both nationally and locally within Lancashire. I will do everything in my power to tackle, disrupt and dismantle the groups who want to bring Class A drugs into the towns and streets where we live.

“Children and adults are being used by dealers to supply controlled drugs in our communities. This must stop.

“Lancashire Constabulary and our partners are committed to tackling this level of serious organised criminality and providing reassurance to our communities.

“Every day we are working pro-actively to gather intelligence and carry out operations to both disrupt county lines drug dealers and to identify those at risk from this type of criminality.

“We have made a number of arrests which is pleasing. You should expect to see more arrests in the coming weeks and months as we continue taking the fight to groups wanting to deal drugs in our county.”

County lines gangs and organised criminal networks are involved in exporting illegal drugs, using dedicated mobile phone lines or another form of ‘deal line’. The gang activity is highly associated with violence, drug dealing and exploitation; having a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.

Gangs will use children, and vulnerable people, to move drugs and money, criminally exploiting them; they will also seek to establish a base in target locations, typically taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults by force or coercion – this is referred to as ‘cuckooing’.

During the operation, significant drugs seizures were made and a number of stop checks completed.