Force in crackdown on ‘county lines’ drug gangs

FIVE people were arrested as part of a week-long action targeting serious and organised crime in Widnes.

Cheshire police used information provided by residents to execute warrants and recover heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis to combat county lines activities.

A spokeswoman for the force said two men were stopped on the Iron Bridge in Grizedale, Hough Green, and about 40 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine were recovered.

The men – both aged 19 and from Liverpool – were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and released under investigation.

A warrant executed on Mottershead Road resulted in cannabis, scales and graft phones being recovered.

A 17-year-old boy from Widnes was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and released with no further action taken.

A 19-year-old Widnes man was also arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and was given a warning.

About 51 bags of heroin and crack cocaine were found in a jewellery box in a garden in Sinclair Avenue. A 25-year-old Widnes man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin and was released under investigation.

One vulnerable man was safeguarded by police officers after he was found to have been a victim of exploitation by organised crime groups (OCG).

A county line is operated by an OCG who use a mobile phone, known as a ‘line’ or a ‘graft’ to extend their criminal activity into new locations – usually from a city into rural areas.

They can target, coerce and exploit children and vulnerable adults to deliver and deal drugs.

Anyone with information on drug crime should contact Cheshire police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.