Lincolnshire Police hails success of County Lines drugs gang crackdown

Police have hailed the success of a major drugs crackdown, which officers say has helped disrupt the activities of gangs operating in Lincolnshire.

A targeted week of action has led to 18 arrests, the closure of two ‘lines’ of drug supply and the protection of 27 vulnerable people who were at risk of being exploited by the gangs.

Thousands of pounds in cash has also been seized in activities right across the county.

In one case, a man was charged and remanded in connection with an investigation in the supply of class A drugs in the Grantham area, as well as a suspected modern slavery offence.

Officers also say they have protected vulnerable people who were being ‘cuckooed’ — the term used when someone's address is taken over by criminals through force, deceit or coercion.

County Lines the police terminology used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of ‘deal line’.

A national County Lines Intensification Week ran from June 23 to 29 — with the results in Lincolnshire now being made public.

Detective Superintendent Kerry Webb coordinated Lincolnshire’s efforts, said: "These gangs use runners, often vulnerable people, to deliver the drugs.

"It is exploitative and often violent. The networks are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.

"We run operations and investigations into County Lines activity all year round, and this latest push puts a spotlight on what we're doing to keep the community safe. And 'safe' is a key word here; through our efforts last week, we have safeguarded four children and 23 adults who were being exploited by County Lines activity.

"Our communities pay a huge part in the success of cracking down on this by providing much-needed intelligence around drug-dealing, suspicious activity, or vulnerability, and we would encourage people to continue to do this."

Police say the crackdown has led to:

*Four children and 23 adults being ‘safeguarded’

*31 addresses of potential cuckooing victims being visited

*18 people arrested

*22-year-old Tyreece Moran, of Brooksby Lane, Nottingham, being charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin, and arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. He was remanded into custody for a future hearing at Lincoln Crown Court.

Officers seized drugs with a value of approximately £25,000, £2,215 cash and £5,000 in counterfeit notes. They also took possession of a ‘section five’ dangerous firearm, two air rifles and an air pistol.

About 4,000 cigarettes and 13,700 grams of tobacco were also seized.