Police in Worthing arrest more than 30 people as part of County Lines drug operation
"Those dealing drugs in Worthing are not welcome."
More than 30 people have been arrested by police in Worthing, as part of a County Lines drug operation.
Officers launched Operation Dunsfold in August 2019 to target the supply of cocaine in the Worthing area.
In particular, police were interested in disrupting those who used vehicles to supply the class A drug.
Officers and staff from the Prevention Enforcement Team, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Response, Investigation and Community Investigation Teams carried out a number of warrants, both covert and overt patrols and acted upon intelligence in the local area.
Since the launch of the operation, a total of 32 arrests were made, 23 vehicles seized, £13,000 recovered and between £13,000 and £15,000 worth of drugs taken off the streets.
Of the 32 arrests:
‘County Lines' is a term used by police and partner agencies to refer to drug networks, both gangs and organised crime groups, from large urban areas such as London, who use children and young people and vulnerable adults to carry out illegal activity on their behalf.
Sussex Police has said gangs dealing drugs is not a new issue, but the extent to which criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults, as well as the increasing use of violence, has become an inherent part of it through 'County Lines' makes it especially damaging.
PC Chris Corker of the Prevent Enforcement Team, who launched the operation, said:
"Drugs can have a huge impact on the community and we are committed to disrupting the dealers who try to deal dangerous drugs in Worthing.
"We investigate and prosecute those who would bring harm to local people and our proactive work over the last year has seen a notable reduction in those using vehicles to supply drugs to the area.
"We will continue to proactively tackle this behaviour and send out the message that those dealing drugs in Worthing are not welcome."
Anybody can report concerns around drug issues either online or by calling 101.