Northumbria Police arrest 100 and seize drugs and weapons in County Lines crime crackdown
Almost £170,000 in cash was also seized in the North East, as part of a co-ordinated national effort to combat cross-border drug dealing
Northumbria Police officers have arrest over 100 people and seized Class A drugs and weapons in a County Lines crime crackdown. Almost £170,000 in cash was also seized in the North East, as part of a co-ordinated national effort to combat cross-border drug dealing.
This involves organised criminal networks importing and exporting illegal drugs through the use of dedicated phone or ‘deal’ lines, with the criminals involved typically grooming children or using coercion and violence against vulnerable adults to store drugs and money, and deal being arranged via text or social media messages.
The National County Lines Coordination Centre oversaw a week of action, beginning on June 23, and uncovered nine confirmed 'deal' lines, with local officers finding cocaine worth around £80,000, and over 10 kilos of cannabis bud.
As well as this, weapons as varied as axes, claw hammers, machetes and zombie knives were all seized during the activity, along with 21 vehicles thought to be involved. The action also saw a number of community engagement events like school visits take place.
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Williams, of Northumbria Police, said: "The results from our latest intensification week are absolutely fantastic, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their support in making this all possible.
"However, this activity merely reflects the work conducted on a daily basis, the North East is no safe haven for drug dealers and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible before the courts.
"The illicit trade unfortunately targets the most vulnerable members of our communities which is why we will not stop in our efforts to protect those at risk of being exploited by these criminal networks."
Anyone who suspects that something not quite right is happening in their community is asked to send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media, use the website live chat, or complete a crime update form here.
Those who are unable to contact police in those ways are asked to call 101, and in an emergency, or where a crime is taking place, always dial 999. Members of the public can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or go to the website here.