County Lines Crackdown Leads to £2.5 Million Drug Seizure and Arrests

Over £2.5 million in drugs were confiscated and 68 individuals were apprehended during an operation targeting county lines activities across Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. West Mercia Police collaborated with social services and various charities to conduct multiple raids. These operations resulted in 29 adults, suspected of being victims of cuckooing, receiving protective measures. The BBC accompanied officers to a property in Kidderminster, which was searched following concerns that its resident had been coerced by a criminal group into storing or distributing Class A drugs, such as cocaine. According to the force, intelligence indicated that a man in his early 60s, who has disabilities, was being exploited. Neighbors had observed vehicles arriving at the property consistently throughout the day. Number plate recognition cameras were used to track vehicles, some of which were seen traveling from Birmingham. This information prompted police to connect the activity to an active drug supply network. Upon execution of the warrant, the occupant and a younger woman were interrogated. Officers found a small amount of cocaine and an imitation firearm. The apartment’s state was characterized as unsanitary, lacking carpets or curtains, with food remaining on plates for several days, and used drug paraphernalia present. PC Kane Baker stated, “What we found, the risk involved, we want to safeguard [the occupant and woman]. I don’t think custody would be the right place, so we’ve obtained lots of evidence to forward to social services urgently.” He added, “When you’re a drug user you can be easily targeted by county lines gangs because the motive is there. This is what you will find with a cuckooing address.” St Giles Trust, a charity operating from the Midlands, joined police during certain raids conducted in Telford. In the last year, the trust has provided assistance to over 5,000 children and young individuals who have been exploited, frequently in connection with county lines operations, some of whom were as young as 11. Jade Hibbert, the charity’s Midlands regional development manager, commented: “We offer intensive one-to-one mentoring, group and youth work, that’s delivered out in the community. “We’ll do everything possible to help them, see them in a place that’s safe for them.” She is encouraging parents and guardians to supervise the social media activities of young people. She further stated, “The best way to spot signs of child exploitation is be educated on the internet…it can be an enemy and a gateway for perpetrators to target, access and abuse children.” She also mentioned, “TikTok, Instagram and X are platforms young people are using every day, perpetrators of exploitation know this.” Additional indicators of exploitation, according to her, might involve a young person associating with an older peer group, altering their attire, or adopting more street-style language. West Mercia Police had previously dismantled a county lines drug gang operating in Worcester and Malvern. In October, a combined total of over 60 years in prison was handed down to 10 men and women. This group, identified as the ‘H’ line, was linked to the ‘Kam’ line, whose six members received sentences totaling over 40 years in prison in February. Police indicated that while county lines operations remain a constant challenge, they are utilizing more advanced methods for intelligence collection. Throughout the week-long initiative, authorities conducted 110 property visits, confiscating 20 dangerous weapons and drugs with an estimated street value of £2,528,860. Further updates from BBC Hereford & Worcester can be found on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. This report is subject to BBC copyright, 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC states it is not accountable for the content of external sites and details its policy on external linking.