Focused week disrupts county lines operations
POLICE forces in Surrey and Hampshire have hailed recent efforts to disrupt county lines drugs gangs across the region.
In Hart and Rushmoor officers charged two people and seized more than 200g of cocaine during County Lines Intensification Week.
The operation, which ran from March 4 until March 10, saw efforts focused on county lines, a term used to describe organised criminal networks who move illegal drugs out of larger cities into smaller towns and cities in the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines.
They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money, and will often use coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons.
During the intensification week, Hart and Rushmoor officers carried out proactive operations, patrols and stop-checks. Three people were arrested, a total of £1,275 was seized and a number of Class A and B drugs – including more than 200g of cocaine – were taken off the streets.
Of the three arrests, two people were charged and have already appeared in court. As well as making arrests, a number of community resolutions were issued and vital intelligence has been gathered.
Officers also visited local schools to engage with students and provide educational talks on drug-related harm. They also visited hotels to speak with staff around the dangers of county lines, and held a local beat surgery with partners and the community.
On March 5, officers carried out a joint operation at Aldershot Railway Station with British Transport Police and the dog unit. A number of people were searched and a community resolution was issued for a drugs offence. Also on March 5, Erisd Domi, 18, of no fixed address, was charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class B and assault by beating of an emergency worker. He is due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on April 5.
On March 7 Abisola Ajayi, 29, of Queens Road, Aldershot, was charged with three counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A and acquiring / using / possessing criminal property. She was also charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a private place and possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid / gas / electrical incapacitation device.
Ajayi is due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on April 10.
On March 8, a 28-year-old man from Northampton was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A. He has been bailed with conditions while enquiries continue.
Sergeant Helen Wentworth, from the Hart and Rushmoor Priority Crime Team, said: “My team takes this extremely seriously and our officers do everything we can to prevent the exploitation of children and vulnerable people in the district. We arrested three people, charging two of them, seized more than 200g of cocaine, disrupted a number of drugs lines and took a considerable amount of Class A and Class B drugs off the streets – so I’m pleased to say the week has been a huge success.
“Where there are drugs, there is almost always violence, which is why tackling and disrupting the supply of drugs, especially through county lines, is a vital part of our work to reduce violent crime and keep people safe. Please continue to tell us about any suspected drugs activity in your neighbourhood so we can safeguard children and vulnerable adults, and bring offenders to justice.”
Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said officers will continue the battle to drive drug gangs out of the county after she joined co-ordinated activity to crack down on county lines criminality.
During the week, Surrey officers made 21 arrests and seized drugs including cocaine, cannabis and crystal methamphetamine. They also recovered a large number of mobile phones suspected of being used to co-ordinate drug deals, and seized more than £30,000. Seven warrants were executed, accompanied by activity throughout the week to safeguard more than 30 young or vulnerable people.
Ms Townsend said: “County lines criminality continues to be a threat to our communities and the kind of action we saw highlights how our police teams are taking the fight to those organised gangs throughout the year.
“We all have a part to play in that and I would ask our communities to remain vigilant to any suspicious activity that could be related to drug dealing and report it immediately. Equally, if you know of anyone being exploited by these gangs, please pass that information to police or anonymously to Crimestoppers, so that action can be taken.”