Seven arrested as part of crackdown on 'county lines' drug dealing in Norfolk
It's after a week-long crackdown on drugs in the county
Seven people have been arrested as part of a week-long crackdown on 'county lines' drug dealing in Norfolk.
Officers worked with the National Police Chief’s Council and the National Crime Agency to disrupt the flow of illicit substances into the county from other parts of the UK.
County lines usually involves criminals using mobile phones to organise deliveries from major cities, with young people often used to transport the drugs.
In a practice known as 'cuckooing', dealers will take over someone's home and use it as a location to sell drugs.
Police made their first arrest a week ago on Sunday (October 2) on Willowcroft Way in Cringleford, stopping a car and seizing suspected Class A drugs.
27-year-old Brandon Rodney-Lawrence, of Brambling Lane, has since been charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin.
A woman in her 20s has been released on bail.
On Tuesday (October 4) police in London raided an address in Hackney in connection with the supply of drugs into Norwich.
One man was arrested and £10,000 worth of Crack Cocaine and Heroin was recovered.
Tyrone Harris, 31, from Fields Estate, Lansdowne Drive, Hackney was subsequently charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.
A man in his 50s was arrested on Wednesday (October 5) on suspicion of being involved in a drugs line between Merseyside and Norfolk. He's since been released on bail.
Further arrests were made in Great Yarmouth on Thursday (October 6).
Shellem Miah, 22, and Katie Wilkinson, 20, of Pitfield Close, Fenstanton were charged with seven offences each - supplying crack cocaine and diamorphine, possessing a knife, producing crack cocaine, possessing crack cocaine and diamorphine with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.
37-year-old Joseph Cornford of Boulton Road, Norwich was arrested and charged with supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis, also on Thursday.
Detective Inspector Robin Windsor-Waite, of Norfolk Police, said:
“The closure of three county lines and seven arrests during our week of action is a significant success for Norfolk.
It demonstrates the strength of partnership work in tackling the supply of drugs and the exploitative actions that surround this type of crime.