The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
POLICE DRUGS CRACKDOWN
Dozen arrested in Peterborough
Thousands of pounds worth of drugs were taken off the streets as police carried out a month of action to cut off county lines drug dealing.
County lines refers to the dedicated mobile phones, or ‘lines’, used by criminals to deal drugs originating from bigger cities such as London to other towns and cities in the UK, and the issue has become a major problem in Peterborough and across Cambridgeshire.
Officers carried out a series of raids across Peterborough, with 12 arrests being made in the city at various addresses. There were also five arrests made in Cambridge.
Along with the arrests, about £10,000 worth of crack cocaine, heroin, cocaine and cannabis was seized - made up of 872 individual wraps, as well as two knives and £15,206 in cash.
DCI Alan Page, from the Intelligence and Specialist Crime Department, said: “Nationally we are seeing this become more of an issue, with serious street-based violence on the increase, often being related to drugs. This week of action is just part of the force’s response to tackling county lines.
“We see time and time again, young individuals getting drawn into being street level drug dealers. The reality of becoming involved in such a lifestyle often involves exploitation, abuse and high levels of violence - sometimes with deadly consequences.
“The only way we can effectively tackle the issue is through a whole systems approach, working with partner agencies such as public health and social care to prevent exploitation in the first instance.”
Three men from Peterborough have been charged in connection with the offences.
Mahmoud Shrara, (20), Eastfield Road, Peterborough, has been charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He will next appear at Peterborough Crown Court on November 1.
Motwkil Esmail, (18), of Clarence Road, has been charged with possession with intent to supply class B drugs. He has been bailed to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on October 24.
Rashid Harif, 21, of no fixed abode, has been charged with possession of a class B drug. He has been remanded to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on 19 October.