Hampshire police crackdown on county lines
£300,000 worth of drugs have been seized during the week-long operation.
Last updated 10th Dec 2024
Police in Hampshire say they've seized more than 3 hundred thousand pounds worth of drugs after a week-long crackdown on County Lines operations.
The Hampshire force says it dismantled 14 county lines networks, seized over 134 thousand pounds in cash, arrested 94 people - and confiscated over 30 weapons. Nationally - 557 weapons seized alongside almost 2 million pounds in cash.
County Lines describes drug dealing networks where mobile phones are used to supply drugs from large cities to towns and rural areas. Vulnerable people and children are often exploited to deal drugs and collect money on behalf of gangs.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “Drug dealing causes misery to our communities. It brings violence, exploitation and deprivation. The results from the week of action demonstrate the commitment of officers and staff to get drugs off our streets and make our communities safer."
“Help has been offered to children and vulnerable adults who have been groomed and recruited to work for these gangs, who are often under threat of violence and debt, and fearful that there is no way out. As Police Commissioner, I will continue to fund interventions for people on the periphery of crime who need help to break free from addiction and exploitation.”