Police waging war on county lines dealers make dozens of arrests in major operation
Police waging war on county lines drug dealers have arrested 53 suspects and seized drugs, cash, firearms and Rolex watches.
The Met’s Operation Trigona targeted individuals who ran 33 networks supplying crack cocaine and heroin from south-east London.
A total of 47 men and six women, aged 16 and 48, were held in dawn raids across Greenwich, Bexley, Kent and Thames Valley over the last six weeks.
The warrants were the result of an undercover investigation spanning five months.
South East Proactive Unit officers, the Territorial Support Group and dog units were involved in the searches.
Two cars valued at £45,000, £40,000 worth of Rolex watches, £63,000 in cash, 320 grams of crack cocaine, 150 grams of heroin and cannabis were recovered.
Four firearms, two rounds of ammunition, knives and knuckle dusters were also seized.
County lines is the movement of drugs by gangs from cities into smaller towns, often exploiting children or vulnerable adults.
All those arrested were questioned on suspicion of a range of offences, including supplying drugs and possessing firearms and criminal property.
Detective Inspector Jo Gresham, who led Trigona, said: “Operations like this one, which disrupt county lines drug supply and dealing, and target the criminal exploitation of vulnerable people, are vital because we know that this type of criminality drives a high proportion of violent crime in London.
“During this operation we have identified two young people who were victims of this type of exploitation, who we are now safeguarding and working with to give them the support they need.”
Meanwhile, a project aimed at working with young people aged 10 to 18 in custody and diverting them away from county lines gangs has been launched in Haringey.
The Met teamed up with charities Oasis Hadley and The Children’s Society, as well as Haringey and Enfield children services.
Four youth outreach workers will be embedded in Wood Green Custody Suite until March 2021 under Operation Alliance.
They will pick up on potential signs of exploitation and grooming by adults, to ensure children receive the help needed.
Detective Chief Superintendent Treena Fleming, commander for Haringey and Enfield, said: “The arrest of any young person is a significant event. It can act as a trigger for a moment of self-reflection and for them to re-evaluate the path they are treading.
“The support offered by Operation Alliance gives children an opportunity to turn their lives around and we hope will be the catalyst for change.”
Anyone with information on drugs can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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