Hampshire Police disrupt drug dealing gangs

Police in Hampshire have shared details of their part in a national campaign to tackle county lines drug dealing and the associated exploitation of vulnerable people.

‘County lines’ is a term used to describe organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs out of bigger cities into smaller towns in the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of ‘deal line’.

They exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store drugs and money, and often use coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons.

in Hampshire, police identified and safeguarded 17 children as vulnerable to county lines exploitation.

33 people were arrested by officers in all, 26 men over the age of 18, three boys and four women, while 10 county lines and organised crime networks were disrupted.

Hampshire Constabulary’s led for drug-related harm, Detective Superintendent, Nick Plummer, said:

“No one really knows how many young people across the country are being forced to take part and support County Lines activity. Children without criminal records – known as ‘clean skins’ – are preferred because they are less likely to be known to police. However, children with criminal records are also vulnerable to exploitation from gangs who use them to operate their business all over the country.

“We are often involved in missing person reports of young people who have left their place of residence in another county and later been found in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, often carrying drugs or cash which results in us having to arrest the young person.

"However this is also an opportunity for us get them the support they need and refer them to appropriate services. We are continually assessing the threat, risk and impact on the young person in these challenging situations.

"We have to consider the ongoing risk to them from the gang who controls them, as well as rival gangs, but this is an opportunity for us to put in place safeguarding measures and support that ensures they are safe from harm.”

Last week’s operation in Hampshire saw officers target 52 cuckooed addresses and stop checked seven vehicles for organised crime usage.

A further seven pre-planned warrants were executed at addresses believed to be used in county lines activity.

‘Cuckooing’ is the term used for when drug dealers use violence, exploitation and intimidation to take over the home of a vulnerable person in order to use it as a base for drug dealing. A vulnerable person might be someone with a dependency on drugs or is suffering from mental ill health or substance misuse.

Officers spoke to 38 adults considered vulnerable and potentially at risk of being exploited by dealers and signposted them to appropriate support agencies who can help them, therefore cutting off the dealers from a base to deal.

Detective Inspector Lee Newman, County Lines regional co-ordinator for the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said:

“We’ve provided support to forces with a range of specialist skills and co-ordinated activity to ensure we work together to identify and disrupt serious offenders causing the most harm in our communities.

“County Lines drug dealing has a significant impact upon communities and involves the exploitation of some of the most vulnerable people in society, including children.

“We’re committed to further developing our understanding of the methods used by organised criminals responsible for County Lines criminality to ensure we can continue to target them, while working closely with our partners to support victims.”

Results including recovery and seizure

£4,140 worth of heroin

£50k worth of cannabis

25 MDMA tabs

£7,380 POCA / Cash recovered

10 weapons were recovered: 7 knives, 1 scissor blade, 1 catapult, 1 knuckleduster

38 mobile phones

Crack and cocaine was also recovered (not yet quantified)

Those who notice suspicious activity or have information about drug dealing you can make a report on the Police website, call 101 - always call 999 in an emergency.

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• hampshire police
• county lines
• drug dealing