A CRACKDOWN on drug dealing saw nine arrests and significant quantities of drugs and cash seized in Warwickshire.
Police aimed to disrupt the supply of drugs into the county during a nationwide operation to tackle county lines drug crime – where city gangs transport drugs into rural areas, often exploiting vulnerable people and drug users.
Across the county, officers seized nearly 2kg of drugs, 13 phones, £13,000 in cash and three vehicles.
Three men from Warwick aged 18, 21 and 23, were arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine with intent to supply after officers swooped on a house in Wellington Road. They have all been released under investigation.
And a 35-year-old man from Leamington was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation. He has been released under investigation.
During the operation police checked on vulnerable people. They also found two 15-year-old boys, reported missing from Birmingham, at an address in Leamington. They were returned home to their parents.
Warrants were carried out at homes suspected of supplying drugs into Leamington and Rugby.
An operation in Coventry also led to the seizure of cocaine valued at almost £70,000.
Det Supt Neil Harrison said: “Tackling serious organised crime, including county lines crime, is the top priority for Warwickshire Police.
“One of the most pleasing aspects of the week of activity was the success of the operation with our colleagues in Coventry. County lines criminals don’t respect borders and it is important that we continue to work with our partners to make life as difficult as possible for them.
“Perhaps the biggest positive is the improved intelligence picture that will help us to target offenders and put support in place for vulnerable people.
“I hope this gives local people confidence that we are working hard to tackle this problem. Information provided by the public is vital to helping us continue our work and I’d urge anyone with information to contact us.”
Anyone with information or concerns about county lines dealing should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.