Drugs, money and cash seized by Northumbria Police
Over 100 arrests were made as part of County Lines week of action
A week of action to tackle cross-border drug dealing has seen more than 100 people arrested and more than £90,000-worth of drugs and cash seized.
Last week Northumbria Police and other organisations across the country joined forces to tackle the practice known as County Lines as part of an intensification period which took place between February 27 and March 5.
County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas, using dedicated mobile phone lines or another form of “deal line”.
Criminals often send bulk text or social media messages to potential customers so they can then set up a deal. The cruel practice often exploits and recruits vulnerable drug users.
They are also likely to exploit children and adults to move as well as store the drugs and money and will often use coercion, intimidation, violence, including sexual violence, and weapons.
Acting on intelligence, officers in the Northumbria Force area carried out a number of raids on properties in the North East, seizing illicit substances thought to be part of County Lines dealing.
Officers made a total of 105 arrests during the week, with more than £33,580 of cannabis, £20,400 worth of MDMA and £1,300 worth of amphetamine uncovered.
More than £7,500 in cocaine was seized, plus an additional £40,000 worth of the Class A drug when assisting Durham Constabulary.
A total of £36,815 in cash was also seized across the Force area, as were a number of weapons including two knuckle dusters and a BB gun which resembled a Glock 17 firearm.
Seven vehicles were uplifted by officers as well as a number of mobile phones believed to be linked to County Lines activity.
As part of the week of activity, our teams also carried out a range of work to help educate local secondary school children about how they can be exploited as part of County Lines criminality.
Young people can often be groomed into becoming mules and couriers, to taking over their accommodation in a practice commonly known as cuckooing.
Officers also engaged with taxi drivers working as part of the Night Time Economy to help increase awareness around child sexual exploitation.
Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: “This type of criminality is something we will simply not accept in our communities.
“The practice often sees some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including children, coerced into the drug-dealing trade.
“We will always look to take the strongest action possible against those found to be involved in these abhorrent crimes.
“Our officers are becoming more and more aware of how to spot this type of activity. Offenders should make no mistake that we will root out your operation and bring you to justice.
“We will continue to work with our partners to make sure those who could be at risk of exploitation are equipped with the tools they need to identify what County Lines offending looks like, so they can report it. We will also keep up our efforts to safeguard anyone who has already been affected by it.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “Northumbria Police has vowed to relentlessly fight county lines in the North East - and I’m pleased these results show they are doing just that.
“Anyone who thinks they can prey on vulnerable young people to move drugs around our region needs to think again. No one should get away with forcing victims into dangerous situations to sell drugs and satisfy their own greed.
“I know officers will keep doing everything they can to make sure those responsible are caught and end up behind bars.
“My thanks go to everyone who has been working on these arrests and safeguarding the young, vulnerable people who have found themselves caught up in drugs crime. This work won’t stop.”
Anyone who suspects that something not quite right is happening in their community should contact Northumbria Police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or call 101. In an emergency, or where a crime is taking place, always dial 999.
Alternatively, members of the public can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or go to https://crimestoppers-uk.org/