County Lines drug dealing leads to 80 arrests in the North East
Last updated 6th Dec 2024
A co-ordinated crackdown on cross-border drug dealing in the North East has seen more than 80 arrests and 8 deal lines shutdown.
Last week, officers across the country once again stood united with partners in the fight against County Lines and organised drug supply.
Police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units took part in a national coordinated operation, reaffirming their commitment to tackling county line exploitation criminality.
Officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), Northumbria Police, Durham Constabulary and Cleveland Police were joined by the prison services, local authorities, and safeguarding partners as they carried out several targeted operations across the region to safeguard vulnerable victims, shut down drug lines and educate young people around the dangers of becoming involved with drugs.
Across the North East alone, the intensification week saw numerous warrants executed resulting in 8 deal lines shutdown, large quantities of Class A and B drugs seized and a total of 82 people arrested.
Results also showed that 58 vulnerable people in the North East had been safeguarded due to the national operation.
County Lines sees ruthless dealers expanding their illicit operations through dedicated mobile phone lines, known as deal lines, which sell highly addictive substances.
To maintain their illegal activity, criminals often exploit children and young people by grooming them into becoming drug mules, threatening violence, and intimidating them to keep them trapped.
The national intensification week coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) ran from November 25th to December 2nd and is just one example of the ongoing targeted activity carried out by police and partners throughout the year to tackle County Lines and protect all those impacted.
The region-wide activity saw large quantities of drugs seized, including cocaine, heroin and cannabis – with warrants also resulting in the seizure of large quantities of cash and weapons including crossbows, zombie knives and machetes.
NEROCU Regional County Lines Co-Ordinator Ian Randell, has commended the dedication of officers and staff working in the North East to continue to be at the forefront of tackling County Lines and the exploitation linked to it.
He said: “The message from this intensification period is clear - we are resilient, we are robust and we are relentless.
“These great results are just the latest in a long line of successful operations throughout the year focusing on tackling County Lines.
“I want to thank the outstanding partners we work with who help build intelligence, shut down deal lines, arrest suspects, educate young and vulnerable people and protect those being exploited.
“Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, our dedicated regional initiative to tackling serious and organised crime, we will continue to work with partners and pursue offenders, shut down their lines, and work with young people and those who have been impacted by this abhorrent crime.”
If you see something that doesn’t look right or know of any vulnerable people who may be involved in County Lines, please get in touch and help protect them.
Alternatively, if you have concerns or information, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555 or visit their website.