Credit: Sussex Police

Surrey police official statement here. Scroll down to see the statement from Sussex police.

Eleven County Lines drug networks were dismantled in Surrey during national County Lines Intensification Week, which ran between 2-8 March.

County lines is a term used for organised illegal drug-dealing networks who move drugs between areas using dedicated phone lines, often relying on violence, exploitation and the coercion of vulnerable people, including children, to run their operations.

Led by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), Surrey joined up with neighbouring forces to conduct targeted activity combining enforcement, safeguarding, and partnership work with charities and local agencies.

The latest week of targeted action in Surrey saw some of the best results to date:

Enforcement 

• 28 arrests
• 11 drug lines shut down
• Approximately £28,000 cash seized
• 44g of Class A drugs (141g crack, 16g heroin, 14g cocaine)
• 25Kg cannabis seized
• 63g fentanyl
• 02g ketamine
• 8 weapons – including knifes, machete and swords – removed from streets
• 2 firearms seized
• Assets seized: designer goods including luxury watches

Various engagement events took place across the week, including:

• Bespoke county drugs line training delivered to safeguarding leads from 151 schools in Surrey
• Hotspot and high visibility patrols undertaken across the county
• Engagement stands at schools and town centres
• 260+ pupils engaged with at schools across Surrey
• Previous cuckooed properties visited
• Multiple hotels visited with education provided to staff
• 2 x closure orders granted – Woking and Leatherhead
• Multiple partner based proactive operations in Epsom, HMP Highdown and Guildford Railway
• Gaming van deployed at multiple venues as a form of engagement with young persons and parents

County line and Drug harm coordinator, Alex Gillot said: “This was the sixteenth occasion we have concentrated resources to the dedicated week of action to tackle County Drugs lines and associated harm.

“County Lines have a devastating impact on communities which brings serious harm to people, not just through the supply of drugs, but also the associated violence and exploitation.

“Work continues throughout the year to disrupt and dismantle County lines, but it is advantageous to also focus a national intensive response.  This week saw that strong commitment to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders and provide avenues for education and prevention.”

Our dedicated County Drug Line unit Centurion, working in conjunction with colleagues both within and external to Surrey Police, recently concluded their investigation into a Class A drug supply network operating in East Surrey and the surrounding areas. The operation resulted in 12 men being sentenced to a combined total of over 47 years in prison.   To read the full story click here.

 

Sussex police official statement here.

Sussex Police have seized a significant amount of drugs and a number of weapons during County Lines Intensification Week.

The force took part in the national initiative led by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) running from 2 – 8 March aimed at tackling County Lines drug dealing and its associated exploitation particularly of young people.

Detective Superintendent Jon Gillings said: “County Lines is a type of drug dealing in which organised crime groups used phone lines to distribute and supply drugs.

“These groups exploit vulnerable and young people, grooming and coercing them as drug ‘runners’ or cuckooing vulnerable people, using their homes as a base for operations.

“The impact and harm of County Lines drug dealing is immense for the individuals being exploited and also considerable for communities across Sussex.

“As a force we are committed to a relentless pursuit of those involved in the organised crime groups running county drug lines to bring them to justice and to tirelessly protecting and safeguarding vulnerable people and communities throughout the year.

“However, I welcome the opportunity to take part in a dedicated intensification week to laser focus our operations tackling County Lines.”

Throughout the week, officers across the county executed multiple warrants, vehicle stops, safeguarding visits and engaged with communities in-person and through informational leaflet distribution.

One week, hundreds of activities; the results are in

Across the county, 20 address warrants were executed, and 42 vehicle stops and 167 person searches were conducted that led to:

82 people arrested

• 65 men
• 13 women
• Four boys

Over £200,000 worth of drugs seized including

• £10,000 heroin
• £11,500 crack (cocaine)
• £27,000 cocaine
• £30,000 ketamine
• £47,000 cannabis
• £100,000 (approx.) THC vapes

34 weapons seized including

• 21 bladed items
• Five firearms
• Four other weapons

Multiple assets and a large quantity of cash seized including

• 32 mobile phones and other electronic devices
• Three vehicles
• Over £20,000 in cash

A number of knife sweeps in public places were also conducted in addition to licensing checks and drug swabs at multiple premises across the county.

Highlights from across the force:

2 March, Brighton

Three people were spotted by officers on patrol engaging in suspected drug dealing in Upper Lewes Road.

Officers entered an address in Lewes Road upon the suspects’ arrival.

Over 150 wraps of heroin and cocaine, and £1100 in cash were seized from the property and three people were arrested.

Charlie Angel, 21, of no fixed address, Charlene Boothe, 38, of no fixed address, and Russell Maynard, 47 of Lewes Road, Brighton were each charged the next day (3 March) with two counts of conspiring to supply a class A drug, they appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court later that day and were all remanded into custody until their next court appearances.

3 March, West Sussex

Officers in West Sussex conducted a warrant at an address in Silverlands Road, St Leonards after receiving information of suspected child exploitation linked to a woman in St Leonards.

Cara Foxwell, 25, of Silverlands Road, St Leonards arrested, and the next day (4 March) charged with possession of a controlled class B drug and committing an offence other than kidnapping or false imprisonment with intent to commit human trafficking.

She appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court later the same day and was remanded into custody until her next court appearance on 1 April.

Safeguarding measures for both children have been put in place by Sussex Police and partner agencies.

3 March, Brighton

A warrant was executed by officers at an address in Holton Hill, Woodingdean following intelligence of suspected drug supply connected to the address.

Officers seized a significant quantity of cocaine and cannabis, a machete and a firearm from the property.

A 21-year-old man, 23-year-old man, and a 47-year-old woman were located at the address and arrested. They have all been bailed whilst investigations are ongoing.

Oren South, 24, arrested and charged the same day with possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, possessing an offensive weapon in a private place and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property. He appeared at Brighton Magistrate’s court the next day and was released on court bail until his next court appearance on 1 April.

5 March, East Sussex

Suspicious activity believed to be related to drug supply was spotted by officers on patrol in Eastbourne. Following enquires, officers entered a premises in Marine Parade, Eastbourne. Police seized 252 wraps of heroin, 275 wraps of cocaine and five mobile phones. Three people were located at the property and arrested. A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug. He has been bailed whilst investigations are ongoing.

Keyshaun Francis, 19, of Grimston Road, Basildon, Essex, was arrested and the next day charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a class A drug.

Emmanuel Olaolu, 19, of Bockingham Green, Basildon, Essex, was arrested and the next day charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and acquiring, using or possession criminal property.

Olaolo and Francis both appeared at Eastbourne Magistrates’ Court on 7 March where they were both remanded into custody until their next court appearances on 3 April.

7 March, East Sussex

Officers executed two warrants at addresses in Newick Lane, Heathfield, and Toll Wood Road, Horam as well as searches of two vehicles connected with intelligence of suspected drug supply.

Across all four warrants, officers seized 50 1g deals of cocaine, 10 1g deals of ketamine, 1.2kg cannabis, £900 in cash, multiple bladed weapons and an electric stun gun.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs, and a 25-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs. They have both been bailed whilst investigations are ongoing.

Chief Inspector Hannah Mackay said: “Illicit drugs and the supply of them inflicts harm through violence and exploitation on individuals groomed or coerced into the supply of drugs as well as to those who become addicted to these substances, their family and friends, and to the community.

“I am pleased to see a large quantity of illegal drugs removed from the streets of Sussex and disruptions to the drug lines distributing them.”

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “I joined officers in Brighton as they executed an arrest warrant linked to a suspected County Lines operation. Seeing first-hand the professionalism, coordination and determination of our police teams reinforces just how vital this work is.

“County Lines exploitation is an insidious business model and tackling it is something Sussex Police does every day – not just during this week of action.

“This intensification week has seen our police teams carry out targeted warrants, conduct road stops and work closely with partners to help identify and protect those at risk of being drawn into dangerous County Lines networks.

“These coordinated efforts are helping to keep our neighbourhoods safe, disrupt criminal operations and ensure vulnerable people receive the help they need.”

Safeguarding young and vulnerable people, and engaging with communities

Through the week, officers safeguarded 83 people, nearly half of which were children.

Officers engaged with over 1600 children and young people at 65 school and youth events as well as parent and carer session focussed on County Lines and safeguarding young people who may be at risk of exploitation through County Lines.

Child exploitation and safeguarding training was given to over 120 professionals including taxi drivers to raise awareness of how to spot the signs of child exploitation and how to report any concerns to police.

41 cuckooing welfare visits were also conducted and 19 victims successful engaged with officers, additionally over 1200 awareness leaflets were distributed providing information around cuckooing to local communities.

Detective Superintendent Gillings continued: “It is vital that young and vulnerable people who are most at risk of harm by County Lines are protected.

“Our dedication to safeguarding young and vulnerable people from exploitation is unwavering as is our focus on identifying and disrupting exploiters.

“We are continuing to raise community awareness of identifying signs that someone may be being exploited through County Lines drug dealing and encourage anyone who suspects that they or someone they know is being exploited reports it to us.

“We are here to protect you and your loved ones and reporting your concerns can help us to safeguard and protect our communities.”

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Behind every County Lines operation is a young person who deserves safety, support and a chance to thrive.

“Enforcement is vital but so is awareness. I want every parent, carer, teacher and neighbour to understand the signs of exploitation and to feel confident in reporting any concerns.”

Signs of County Lines exploitation and how to report it

Someone may be at risk of County Lines exploitation if:

• They repeatedly going missing from school or home and are found in other areas
• They have money, new clothes or electronic devices and they can’t explain how they paid for them
• The are getting lots of texts, phone calls or direct messages (DMs) on social media, and they are being secretive about who they’re speaking to
• They decline in school or work performance
• There are significant changes in their emotional or physical well-being

Report it to us:

Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger or a crime is happening right now. If you are in immediate danger and can’t speak, you can still call 999 and make a silent call by following these instructions.

Call 101 or report online if it’s not an emergency.

You can report anonymously to Crimestoppers via the Crimestoppers website or by calling  0800 555 111.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded, and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers. But any details you can give are extremely valuable in helping us plan how we police each area.