Police tackle 'county lines' drug gangs in West Sussex
Nine arrests were made during a three-week operation
Police units across West Sussex have spent three weeks tackling county lines drug gangs.
The West Sussex Community Investigations Team, Response officers, the Tactical Enforcement Unit and Neighbourhood Response Teams all teamed up for Operation Voyage.
During the three-week period, officers target 'hot spots' for drug activity in Littlehampton, Worthing and Haywards Heath.
The action included:
Seizing around 250 wraps of class A drugs as well as cash
Identifying vulnerable victims
A number of mobile phones were seized
Nine arrests were made during four warrants in Warrick Road in Worthing, Rocky Drive in Haywards Heath, North Lane in Littlehampton and York Road in Littlehampton.
Detective Inspector Alan Pack of the West Sussex Community Investigation team said: “Drug issues have a huge impact on the community and we want to send out a strong message that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour.
“The recent proactive policing action we have been conducting has made the area e very hostile one for those involved with drugs and we want to ensure this message continues. Those involved in this criminality need to know that we are tackling this issue and you will be dealt with accordingly.
“Our officers investigate and prosecute, working relentlessly and targeting those who would bring harm to local people, including often the most vulnerable.
“Quite often, these drug dealers are targeting the homes of vulnerable people, a term we call cuckooing.
“Cuckooing means the criminals can operate from a property rather than on the street, making them less easy to identify, and often they move between different properties to cover their activity.
“We will continue to disrupt dealers who try to deal dangerous drugs across our communities.”