Knives, swords and £62,000 worth of drugs seized

A total of 50 people have been arrested as part of a national co-ordinated week of action targeting county lines drug dealing.

County lines sees drugs transported from predominately larger urban areas to smaller rural towns, with the ‘line’ referring to the mobile number used to order the drugs. Gangs involved in county lines may challenge an existing group from the local area or another county lines ‘line’ in order to take over the local market.

Last week, officers from across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire  supported the National Crime Agency’s County Lines Intensification Week, which saw 50 people arrested and a number of warrants carried out.

Drugs with an estimated street value of more than £62,000 were seized during the week with 20 weapons such as air-weapons, knives, a cross bow, baseball bats and swords and nine vehicles also confiscated along with 40 mobile phones. More than £16,000 in cash was also recovered by police during the week of intelligence led intensified activity.

County lines drug dealers often exploit children and young people, recruiting them to run drugs and cash between urban and county locations and to deal drugs on their behalf. Once recruited in to county lines it can be difficult for those being exploited to leave, with threats and violence used.

County lines sees drugs transported from predominately larger urban areas to smaller rural towns, with the ‘line’ referring to the mobile number used to order the drugs. Gangs involved in county lines may challenge an existing group from the local area or another county lines ‘line’ in order to take over the local market.