50 arrested in county lines operation

Officers across Warwickshire have arrested 50 people as part of a sustained focus on targeting' county lines' drugs operations.

During the last two weeks officers from across the force area have executed warrants at a number of addresses and have carried out various vehicle stops. Vulnerable people and those at risk were also safeguarded, while officers carried out high visibility proactive and educational patrols.

A spokesperson from Warwickshire police said: "‘County Lines’ activity involves a group from a large urban area travelling to smaller locations to sell drugs. They may challenge an existing group from the local area or another County Lines group in order to take over the local market which often causes an increase in violent incidents.

The groups travel between urban and county locations on a regular basis to collect drugs and deliver cash. They will use local properties as a base for their activities; this is often acquired by force or coercion referred to as ‘cuckooing’."

Detective Inspector Chris Cook from Warwickshire Police said: “This targeted activity on county lines gangs demonstrates how our officers are working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle drugs supply and protect the young and vulnerable people who are exploited by them within our communities.

“This may have been two weeks of activity but this disruption will not stop and operations such as these are very much ‘business as usual’ for us.

“With 50 arrests made, various warrants served and cars stopped we have significantly disrupted county lines activity across the county and have safeguarded a number of vulnerable people.

“Tackling county lines drug dealing remains a priority for Warwickshire Police. We will continue to pursue and prosecute those who bring drugs into our counties, commit violence and exploit vulnerable members of our communities.”