Continued work on cross-border drug dealing sees over 200 arrests and more than 60 deal lines shutdown.

Over the last five months, the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit’s (NEROCU) dedicated County Lines team and targeted operations by Durham Constabulary, Northumbria Police and Cleveland Police, have arrested 210 suspects linked to County Lines – thanks to Home Office funding made available by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC).

A total of 62 deal lines have been shutdown as part of the concentrated action and so far, investigations have seen 67 people charged – with more enquiries continuing.

County Lines is when organised criminal networks and gangs use dedicated phone or ‘deal’ lines to import and export illegal drugs.

NEROCU officers have been working with local police forces, partner agencies and safeguarding teams to demonstrate its zero-tolerance stance on drugs in the North East.

County Lines sees criminals groom children and vulnerable adults through coercion, intimidation, and violence, to store drugs and money with deals arranged via bulk text or social media messages.

This activity also saw 53 vulnerable adults and children safeguarded - a large part of tackling County Lines is also ensuring those at risk or are being exploited are protected.

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: “Our commitment to eradicating this form of criminality from our region continues year-round but these latest figures show the overwhelming progress we’re making in the North East.

“Organised criminals seek to profit from the exploitation of vulnerable people and our officers, and the partners we work with, are here to protect them and pursue those responsible.

“We will continue our efforts to tackle this type of offending, shut down supply chains, and dismantle these criminal networks.

“Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, our dedicated regional initiative to tackling serious and organised crime, we will continue our pursuit to tackle County Lines in all its forms.”

If anyone has any information about drugs or County Lines and those controlling them, they can contact their local police force.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or go to https://crimestoppers-uk.org/