A crackdown on County Lines drugs gangs in Lincolnshire has led to 18 arrests, two ‘lines’ closed down, thousands of pounds of cash seized – and most importantly, the safeguarding of 27 vulnerable people at risk of being exploited.
In a targeted week of action, officers focused efforts on disrupting suspected County Lines and ensuring that those being exploited were given the help they need.
In one case, a man was charged and remanded in connection with an investigation in the supply of class A drugs in the Grantham area, as well as a suspected modern slavery offence.
In other cases, officers protected vulnerable people who were being cuckooed, which is when someone’s address is taken over by criminals through force, deceit or coercion.
County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”.
The activity took place across the county.
Detective Superintendent Kerry Webb coordinated the efforts last week (23 to 29 June), which were part of a national County Lines Intensification Week.
She said: “These gangs use runners, often vulnerable people, to deliver the drugs. It is exploitative and often violent. The networks are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.
“We run operations and investigations in to County Lines activity all year round, and this latest push puts a spotlight on what we’re doing to keep the community safe.
“And ‘safe’ is a key word here; through our efforts last week, we have safeguarded four children and 23 adults who were being exploited by County Lines activity. Our communities pay a huge part in the success of cracking down on this by providing much-needed intelligence around drug-dealing, suspicious activity, or vulnerability, and we would encourage people to continue to do this.”
Our highlights include:
- 4 children and 23 adults safeguarded
- An estimated 611,000 people engaged with and educated about County Lines through public events, digital information boards in coastal areas, school visits, hotel visits, and athletic events, among other things
- 31 addresses of potential cuckooing victims were visited
- 18 people arrested
- 22-year-old Tyreece Moran, of Brooksby Lane, Nottingham, was charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin, and arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. He was remanded into custody for a future hearing at Lincoln Crown Court.
- Two suspected County Lines groups were dismantled
Police seized:
- Drugs with a value of approximately £25K
- £2,215 cash
- £5,000 in counterfeit notes
- 1 Section 5 firearm
- 2 air rifles
- 1 air pistol
- 2 vehicles
- 4,000 cigarettes
- 13,700 grams of tobacco
This operation was supported by Home Office County Lines surge funding via the National County Lines Coordination Centre.
