Police have made 20 arrests and seized £15,000 in a series of drugs raids across Cumbria.
Cumbria Constabulary said its officers carried out 12 search warrants during a week-long operation to tackle tackle county lines drugs crime.
Substances suspected to be cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and MDMA were seized, along with weapons – and more than £15,000 in cash.
Arrests were also made for offences not directly linked to county lines as officers detected other offences.
Officers also gathered intelligence and stop people getting mixed up in this underworld in the first place.
County lines describes gangs and organised networks involved in exporting drugs into other areas, using dedicated mobile phone lines.
Results included:
- The seizure of cocaine, more than £3,300 cash and a significant quantity of counterfeit cigarettes from a property at Burton in Kendal. Two arrests were made.
- Two arrests and the seizure of cocaine and cash from a property in Penrith.
- The seizure of suspected cannabis, two air pistols and a pitbull in Barrow. A man was arrested.
- An arrest of a man, along with seizure of suspected cannabis, cocaine, ketamine and cash from a property in Carlisle.
Other seizures included suspected illicit medication, a crossbow, a stun gun, three vehicles and 26 phones.
Cocaine worth a total of £75,000 was seized during the week.
Detective Inspector Sam Johnson said: “Tackling county lines drugs crime remains a year-long priority for Cumbria police.
“Our officers are investigating and aiming to disrupt, deter and detain people involved in this offending every day.
“Intensification periods such as this help provide an additional focus and shine a spotlight on the issue – sending a clear message to those intent on causing harm in the process.
“The extra focus on criminal groups running county lines during this week aims to create maximum disruption for offenders and organised crime groups.”
Prevention work includes raising awareness and educating people about the risks involved in county lines and the signs it is happening.
The county’s 1CLIC initiative is a partnership, funded by the Office of the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, between Cumbria Constabulary and The Well Communities, a recovery organisation that supports those recovering from addiction.
1CLIC provides a preventative approach to support and divert those at risk of being exploited and involved in the supply of illicit drugs.
It works with several partner agency to support this work. This initiative provides help to those most in need, showing them support is available to turn away from drugs.
Det Insp Johnson added: “At the heart of the county lines model is the exploitation of vulnerable people – and sometimes children.
“That is why as well as relentlessly pursuing those involved, we also have a prevention-first approach to stopping this type of offending in the first place.
“Our officers and staff work to stop people being drawn in to protect them and safeguard them from harm.”
Work carried out during the week by the 1CLIC team included:
- Visits to holiday parks across north and West Cumbria to provide general information about county lines – as criminal groups may use holiday parks as a base.
- Safeguarding being provided to 13 people following concerns about their welfare.
- Four visits to properties suspected of being used for cuckooing – where criminals use or takes over a person’s home for criminal purposes.
- Dozens of school pupils being given county lines presentations.
- Visits to taxi companies to raise awareness of the issue.
What are the signs someone – including a young person or child – has become mixed up in county lines?
These could include:
- Travelling alone, frequently, particularly in school hours or late at night.
- Looking lost or in unfamiliar surroundings.
- Appearing anxious, frightened, angry or displaying other behaviour that makes you worried about them.
- Being in possession of more than one phone.
- Carrying lots of cash.
- Unexplained new items – including expensive trainers, mobile phones, jewellery or clothes.
- Periods of going missing.
