West Yorkshire Police arrest 42 people including three children and seize £620K of drugs in crackdown

Officers from across the force's five districts were involved in the nationally-led County Lines Intensification Week aimed at tackling the serious and organised offending which often crosses geographical and administrative boundaries.

A total of £620,490 of class A drugs including cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine was seized, as well as over £8,000 in suspected criminal cash during the campaign which took place earlier this month.

Officers also safeguarded eight males and three females and visited two addresses where the occupants are believed to be the vulnerable victims of cuckooing.

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Seizures of weapons included 32 knives and one machete, while two County Lines deal line mobile telephones were also seized.

Of the 42 people arrested six were female, 39 were adults and three were children.

Among the drugs seized were over 15 kilos of cocaine, 28 grams of heroin and 20 grams of crack cocaine.

Other items seized included mobile phones, ketamine, MDMA, nearly 11 kilos of packaged cannabis and over 1,900 cannabis plants.

As well as taking action to disrupt the County Lines activities, officers and staff took part in educational events to highlight the signs of County Lines exploitation and worked with partner agencies, including councils and with British Transport Police.

Other activities included:

* High visibility patrols and engagement in the community and with known drug users.

* Schools inputs delivered to staff and pupils.

* Safeguarding visits to known victims to protect and prevent further exploitation.

* Training delivered to Police Cadets on County Lines, exploitation and gangs.

* Engagement and materials delivered to care providers.

Activities to tackle County Lines crime took place during the week-long event which ran from March 4 to March 10.

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Detective Chief Inspector Lee Townley of West Yorkshire Police’s Programme Precision, which is dedicated to tackling serious and organised crime in West Yorkshire, said: “County Lines drug dealing has a detrimental effect on communities across the country including here in West Yorkshire and involves criminals placing vulnerable young people at risk of exploitation and harm.

“That’s why it’s important that we take action like we have to both disrupt and deter county lines activity.

“Not only are we arresting those responsible and seizing their illicit goods but we’re also engaging with and educating people to look out for the signs of county lines.

“The message is clear that this kind of activity will not be tolerated in West Yorkshire.”

To report concerns about crime in your community call West Yorkshire Police on 101 or go online at: www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat .

Or you can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.