26 arrests in week of County Lines action in North Yorkshire
Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash were seized
Last updated 20th Oct 2023
North Yorkshire Police has taken part in a national week of action to target county lines drug dealing which has resulted in 26 arrests and the seizure of cash, suspected drugs, weapons and mobile phones.
Teams from across the force carried out proactive enforcement against those with suspected links to drugs offences.
The week of action took place between Monday 9 and Sunday 15 October 2023 and was coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC).
During the week, officers executed 14 warrants, seized over £70,000 in cash which is suspected to be linked to criminality as well as several Class A, B and C drugs.
In Scarborough, officers located 1-2 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of £70,000 from one vehicle.
The 26 arrests took place in Scarborough, Whitby, Harrogate and York.
Police also seized 11 dangerous weapons which included two machetes, three samurai swords, two knuckledusters and a pistol.
Drugs are often imported via the transport network and officers executed several warrants with support from the British Transport Police.
There were also a number of proactive patrols at train and bus stations which involved the use of a specialist drugs dog.
County lines takes its name from the mobile phone lines used by dealers to communicate between towns and advertise drugs for sale.
Vulnerable people - including children – are forced to deal drugs and they will often use local properties as a base for their activities; this is often acquired by force and referred to as ‘cuckooing’.
As part of the week of action, proactive safeguarding and welfare checks were conducted at hotels and Bed and Breakfasts where known vulnerable persons are living. In total officers safeguarded 73 people who are known or suspected as being vulnerable to county lines exploitation.
The force also held County Lines drop-in stalls in public areas for engagement within communities and members of the public.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Simpson, who led the week of activity for North Yorkshire Police, commented:
“Last week’s targeted activity demonstrates how we are working tirelessly to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs and protect the young and vulnerable in our communities who are exploited by them.
“It’s important to stress that this is just one week’s activity, and this type of disruption and safeguarding is taking place in communities across North Yorkshire all year round.
“As a force we are committed to cutting these County Lines and to protecting vulnerable people. But we cannot do this alone, our work with partners is important and we also need the support of the public. “It’s vital that everyone who cares for or knows young and vulnerable people understands the issue and knows the warning signs.”