More than a hundred arrested in county lines drug raids in Thames Valley and Hampshire
More than a hundred people have been arrested across the Thames Valley and Hampshire following raids on "county lines" drug gangs.
It comes after Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Police carried out a week of action (13th-19th May) as part of a nationwide commitment to tackling drug dealing.
What is County Lines?
County lines drug dealing is the name given to drug dealing where organised criminal groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move organised and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.
This type of drug dealing exploits children and vulnerable adults who may have mental health or addiction problems. Generally victims are exploited by organised crime groups to supply and run drugs through violence and intimidation.
Along with arrests, operations also resulted in the safeguarding of more than a hundred vulnerable people, including children.
THAMES VALLEY STATS
77 vulnerable people rescued (including 15 children)
72 arrested
£85,000 worth of drugs seized
HAMPSHIRE STATS
28 vulnerable people rescued
48 arrested
£17,455 in cash seized
In Hampshire, warrants were carried out in Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Aldershot, Andover and the Isle of Wight.
They seized more than £17,455 in cash, 39 phones, six knives, as well as carrying out prevention work with schools, hotels and taxis firms.
Both forces have also been working with schools with education visits supported by drugs dogs. These visits were to promote the welfare of students, safeguard them, and warn children and teachers of the signs and dangers of drugs and how children can be exploited into child drugs exploitation.