Police in Cumbria made 23 arrests and seized nearly £500,000 of suspected illegal cash during a week-long intensified focus on the issue of county lines drugs crime.
Officers aiming to stop communities and people being exploited also confiscated weapons including a zombie knife, a knuckle duster and an electronic stun gun.
As well as this, preventative work took place with the aim of ensuring people – especially children - don’t get mixed up in the world of county lines in the first place.
County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised networks involved in exporting drugs into other areas, using dedicated mobile phone lines.
Officers in Cumbria work all-year-round to tackle the threat from county lines drugs gangs and protect those potentially being exploited, with significant sentences handed out in the courts.
Throughout the week of intensification, running from November 25 to December 1, law enforcement nationally collectively stepped up its response and enhanced active investigations.
Detective Inspector Sam Johnson said: “County lines can bring misery to communities, in the form of drug dealing and serious violence.
“That is why we work to catch those involved, disrupt these networks and stop gangs making inroads in the first place to prevent people being drawn in.”
Results of the week included:
A stop of a vehicle near Penrith. £150,000 of cash was found and the driver arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
Two charges after police in Carlisle seized crack cocaine and heroin.
A man arrested in Barrow on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon, with a knuckleduster seized.
A search warrant executed in Kendal, with a bag seized including smoke bombs, a zombie knife, an electronic stun gun and a balaclava. One man was arrested.
A stop of a vehicle on the M6 near Southwaite. £320,000 was seized and a man arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
A man arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm and money laundering following a stop in Barrow.
Det Insp Johnson said: “Let’s be clear: this is just a snapshot of the work our officers and staff carry out all-year-round.
“Ongoing work was intensified during this week of action - partly to make a statement to those involved in county lines so they know we will stop them.
“We will continue to pursue all drug traffickers and those who exploit people, including those using the county lines crime model.”
Preventative work
As well as enforcement, officers and staff seek to stop county lines drugs gangs getting a foothold in the first place by raising awareness and educating people about the risks and the signs it is happening.
Work carried out during the week included:
Educational inputs to 200 primary and secondary school pupils in Carlisle.
12 visits to shops in Penrith to raise awareness among staff of signs of exploitation. This included linking up with the national charity The Children’s Society.
A visit to Penrith train station, with staff members, vendors and customers spoken to as part of awareness raising.
School pupils and staff spoken to in Barrow.
Leaflet drops in Carlisle and Barrow.
Hotels and bed-and-breakfasts visited to raise awareness.
A community event was held in Carlisle alongside Well Communities, a recovery organisation that supports those recovering from addiction, to promote the prevention of exploitation.
Det Insp Johnson said: “Some of the harm and risk caused by county lines involves the exploitation of children and vulnerable people.
“This is why we do our best, alongside our partners, to educate children and teachers, as well as people in businesses or places where children might be found or stay while involved in county lines.”
Other suspected crimes spotted
During the week – as a result of being out-and-about targeting county lines crime - officers also intercepted people suspected of involvement in other offences.
This included:
A search of a vehicle where suspected counterfeit clothing and electronic equipment worth a total of £1.5m were found.
A search of a vehicle found with nearly 300 packets of suspected counterfeit cigarettes.
Officers stopping a further vehicle with suspected counterfeit headphones and clothes worth an estimated £200,000.
Other agencies are involved in the investigations into these cases.
Officers need your information to catch drug traffickers
Det Insp Johnson said: “The people involved in running these county lines exploit some of the most vulnerable members of society.
“They do this to line their own pockets, many miles away from your communities – the neighbourhoods they target.
“There is also the knock-on effect of anti-social behaviour and associated crime that they bring with them.
“To stop them and to keep your communities safe we need what you see on your streets - the information and intelligence - to keep coming to us.
“Help us protect your communities.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “These results are absolutely fantastic and are a great snapshot of what the Constabulary achieve all year round.
“Drug and drug-related crimes have a serious impact and blight on our communities and there is absolutely no place for it in Cumbria.
“The message is clear: if you are participating in county lines, you will be caught and you will face the consequences.
“I would urge anyone who spots anything suspicious to report it to the police so that we can take action.
“Together we can and will protect Cumbria from drug crime and the harm it causes.”
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 make 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.
Do you have information that can help us?
Anyone with information can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it
You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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