National operation tackling cross-border drug dealing sees over 180 arrests across North East

Last week, officers across the country stood united with partners in the fight against County Lines and organised drug supply.

Police forces took part in a national coordinated operation, reaffirming their commitment to tackling county line exploitation criminality.

Across the North East alone, the intensification week saw warrants executed, deal lines shutdown, drugs seized and a total of 183 people arrested.

Results also showed that 90 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.

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.

The national intensification week coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) ran from March 4 – March 10 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 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 machetes and swords.

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 public are now fully aware of the efforts ongoing year-round to tackle this type of organised drug crime. We are resilient and robust in our approach and intensification weeks like this are just one tactic at our disposal.

“This period has delivered more great results, and that is thanks to dedicated teams building intelligence, shutting down deal lines, arresting suspects and protecting those being exploited – and their work doesn’t end here.

“Educating young and vulnerable people on the dangers of county lines and the exploitation that comes with it is also a crucial part of our work and it was great to see the large number of vulnerable people safeguarded as part of this week of action.

“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.