By Five arrested in county lines swoop
Five people have been arrested and a substantial amount of suspected Class A drugs, cash and jewellery seized in simultaneous swoops on targets in Grimsby, Liverpool and Warrington.
The Humberside Police-led operation is the latest strike in efforts to stop suspected county lines drug dealing operations on our streets.
The three warrants were simultaneously executed by teams from Humberside, Merseyside, Cheshire, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) and the National Crime Agency (NCA) at around 9pm last night (Thursday, March 21).
In Grimsby a 29-year-old man was arrested exiting a taxi in Catherine Street on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (pictured left).
Officers recovered what is believed to be a large quantity of crack cocaine and a 47-year-old man was also arrested in connection with the investigation.
As officers in North East Lincolnshire swooped on the car, teams also targeted addresses in Longshaw Street, Warrington and Lochinvar Street, Liverpool.
As a result, a 48-year-old woman was arrested in Lochinvar Street, along with a 26-year-old man and 24-year-old woman in Longshaw Street, all on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
A significant amount of cash was also recovered from the house in Longshaw Street, while at Lochinvar Street officers found high end jewellery.
Detective Inspector Phil Booker, from the Humberside Police Organised Crime Team, said: “These arrests are the result of a long-term investigation led by Humberside Police into the suspected supply of Class A drugs in Grimsby.
“My officers, working in partnership with our colleagues in Merseyside, Cheshire, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) and the National Crime Agency (NCA), carried out simultaneous strikes in Grimsby, Warrington and Liverpool.
“We have recovered a substantial amount of what we believe to be crack cocaine, cash and jewellery and have five people in custody, who we’re continuing to question about their potential involvement in bringing heroin and crack cocaine into our area.
“We know the effect that drugs and the associated crime and antisocial behaviour has on our communities and we won’t stand for it.
“That’s why my team works tirelessly to find, arrest and charge those we believe to be responsible for bringing drugs into those communities and exploiting vulnerable people in order to line their own pockets.
“By telling us what you know about drug-related crime in your area, you can help us build up the evidence we need to continue to target the people behind it and take action against them.
“You might not see the results straight away but rest assured that the information you give us is vital in putting together successful operations that will really make a difference long-term.”
Nikki Holland, NCA Head of Investigations and National County Lines lead, said: “This fantastic result comes as part of a strengthened effort across law enforcement to eradicate County Lines drug dealers and safeguard those most vulnerable.
“Through the support we have given Humberside police in this operation we have demonstrated the power of working with partners to tackle criminals bringing misery to our communities.
“County Lines relies on cash flow, so we will continue to hit them where it hurts most – taking away their cash, their drugs, and their assets.”
If you have information about drug-related crime in your area, call us on the non-emergency 101 line or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111. If you, or someone else is in immediate danger, always call 999.
What is suspected to be a large quantity of crack cocaine was recovered in the operation in Grimsby.
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