Drug gangs across the UK faced a major blow last week as a national police operation targeted their operations, resulting in the dismantling of 250 county lines and the arrest of 1,613 individuals. Coordinated by the NPCC-led National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), the County Lines Intensification Week saw significant gains against these criminal networks and the illicit substances that fuel their exploitative activities.
During the operation, law enforcement agencies seized 103kg of cannabis, 40kg of Class A drugs valued at over £1.2 million, 33 firearms, 377 bladed weapons, and over £1.2 million in cash. These seizures reflect the commitment of police forces to disrupt the activities of drug gangs and dismantle their infrastructure.
One notable operation attended by the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, in the West Midlands resulted in the seizure of £850,000 worth of cannabis from cannabis factories. The operation recovered over 850 plants and nearly 6kg of dried cannabis.
The County Lines Intensification Week also highlighted the crucial aspect of safeguarding vulnerable individuals affected by these criminal networks. Throughout the week, 710 vulnerable people, including 58 children, were referred by the police to safeguarding services. Exploitation, coercion, and violence are prevalent in the county lines trade, with gangs using cannabis to trap young people into debt and forcing them to transport drugs and sell them to other children. By rescuing these vulnerable individuals and providing them with support services, such as the Home Office-funded Catch 22, the cycle of violence and abuse is being broken.
These recent successes in law enforcement follow the release of Home Office statistics showing the significant impact of the government’s County Lines Programme since April 2022. The program has led to the closure of 1,700 county lines, 3,300 arrests, and the referral of 4,100 vulnerable individuals to support services. These figures underscore the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, government agencies, and support services in combating this heinous criminal activity.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman emphasised the government’s commitment to eradicating illegal drugs and eliminating criminal networks that exploit vulnerable individuals. She stated, “We will not tolerate illegal drugs of any kind, and we must rid our communities of these criminals.”
Commander Paul Brogden, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for County Lines, stressed the destructive nature of county lines drug dealing and reaffirmed the commitment of law enforcement agencies to tackle the supply of illegal drugs and the associated violence and exploitation. He stated, “Our message is clear to anyone running county lines across the country; we will be relentless in our pursuit of you.”
The County Lines Intensification Week, which took place from October 9 to October 15, yielded significant results:
– 250 county lines taken down
– 1,613 individuals arrested
– 458 weapons seized, including 33 firearms, 377 bladed weapons, three crossbows, 21 batons, and 28 knuckle dusters
– Over £1.2 million worth of Class A and Class B drugs seized
– £437,000 worth of crack cocaine, £100,000 worth of heroin, 40kg of cocaine, and 103kg of cannabis seized
– £1,284,729.88 in cash seized
The government’s County Lines Programme, established in 2019, has been instrumental in addressing the abusive and violent county lines trade. The program provides law enforcement agencies and victim support services with a clear strategy to combat these criminal networks. The success achieved thus far, including the closure of over 1,700 county lines, demonstrates the significant progress made in a relatively short period.
