A week of intensive police operations focussed on breaking up county lines drug gangs in Dorset has resulted in nine arrests and the confiscation of illegal drugs, money and among other items, a Jaguar car.
County lines crime is when gangs exploit children and vulnerable adults to courier drugs and money from cities to towns in more rural locations like Dorset. The term ‘county lines’ refers to the use of mobile phone lines by the gangs to coordinate the movement and selling of drugs.
The police operation took place between Monday 14th September 2020 and Sunday 20th September 2020 and was run by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and co-ordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC).
The results were:
- Nine arrested on suspicion of supply offences across Dorset
- £4,325 in cash seized
- Phones linked to locations known for county line gangs seized
- More than 20 ‘safe and well’ checks completed
- Jaguar car seized
- Flick knife seized
- Quantities of suspected heroin and crack cocaine seized
- Vulnerable young man safeguarded
- Two referrals to report suspected modern slavery offences
“We will not tolerate gangs bringing crime and disruption to Dorset”
Detective chief inspector for Dorset Police, Andrew Dilworth said:
“County lines gangs make vulnerable people – including children – work for them to sell drugs. These people can face violence and intimidation from gang members.
“By disrupting their activity, and making operating in Dorset difficult for these criminals, we can protect the most vulnerable members of our society from being exploited and the wider communities from drugs and gangs. These results show that we will not tolerate gangs bringing crime and disruption to Dorset.”
Dorset Police is asking the public to remain vigilant at all times and report any concerns they have to them using its non-emergency channels via the contact page on the Dorset Police website or 100 percent anonymously via the Crimestoppers website or by telephone 0800 555111.
For more information on how to recognise the signs of county lines visit the county lines information page on the Dorset Police website
