Police shut down the largest County Line in the Cleveland force area
It's been dismantled in Middlesbrough by Cleveland's 'Operation Arrow'
The largest County Line in Middlesbrough has been dismantled by Cleveland Police officers who secured a Drug Dealing Telephone Restriction Order (DDTRO) from Teesside Courts.
The closure follows Cleveland’s recent action and arrest phase of Operation Arrow, which was executed in line with national County Lines Intensification Week, and the climax of an 18-month operation to tackle organised crime groups across the Force area, and safeguard vulnerable children groomed by these gangs, made possible with the work of Project ADDER.
During the Operation, Cleveland Police identified around nine Organised Crime Groups operating across Middlesbrough and the wider force area and made 35 arrests during five days of action.
The County Line, branded ‘Marco’ was sending bulk messages daily to 594 linked numbers, advertising Class A drugs for sale.
This number featured heavily within the Operation Arrow investigation and officers have sent text messages to all 594 of these contacts advising that the line has been closed by Cleveland Police.
"Cleveland Police won't tolerate drug dealing"
It was also recognised that that the closure of the number will displace vulnerable drug users, so Cleveland Police has worked closely with other agencies in the Middlesbrough area as part of Project ADDER and the text message sent out to the contacts also provided details of available support and diversion through a range of drug, alcohol, and mental health support services.
Detective Inspector Dave Glass said:
“Closing down this huge County Lines outfit sends the message that Cleveland Police won’t tolerate drug dealing and no matter how big the organised crime group is, officers will relentlessly pursue the closure and break down of these gangs.
“It is extremely important that we also work closely with Project Adder and drug support agencies in Middlesbrough, to do all that we can to help those with addictions to get clean and stop their reliance on drug suppliers who profit from the misery of others.”
Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement, Recovery) is a project funded by the Home Office and managed by Public Health in Teesside. The project is aimed at reducing drug related deaths and moving individuals away from drug addiction.
This funding enables Cleveland Police to carry out enforcement and diversionary activity as part of the Middlesbrough Project ADDER Programme. Project ADDER tests a new approach to drug supply involving coordinated law enforcement activity alongside expanded diversionary activity and treatment/recovery provision in Middlesbrough.
The overarching aim of the programme is to reduce the rate of drug deaths, drug related offending and the prevalence of drug use.
Anyone affected by this can contact Recovery Solutions on 01642 726800.
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