Teen caught with drugs and illicit cash during County Lines operation – Wales

​Detectives have launched a modern slavery investigation after a teenager carrying crack cocaine, cash and a burner phone was intercepted at a British Transport Police (BTP) operation tackling County Lines drug supply.

The 16-year-old boy was stopped by plain clothes officers at Swansea station on Wednesday 26 November, and enquiries are ongoing to identify if he is a victim of exploitation.

In his possession he had 25 wraps of crack cocaine, £300 in cash, a small amount of cannabis and two phones, one of which was a burner-style device.

The discovery was made during a two-day joint operation between BTP and South Wales Police (SWP) across the south Wales railway network and surrounding areas.

It ran from 26 to 27 November and featured officers in uniform and plain clothes. Specialist resources to tackle drug supply were deployed, including drug detection dogs and knife arches.

The operation also led to the seizure of 150 cannabis plants from an address in Swansea, as well as the arrest of a 41-year-old woman in Bridgend caught with eight grams of crack cocaine.

BTP Detective Superintendent David Udomhiaye said: “No area or community is immune to County Lines drug supply, which is why intelligence-led operations like this are essential to disrupt gangs using the railway to peddle harmful drugs.

“Most importantly, safeguarding measures have been put in place for the teenage boy stopped at Swansea station carrying illicit cash and drugs. A thorough investigation led by our detectives is continuing at pace to identify if he is a victim of modern slavery.

“Our teams are on the railway every day in plain clothes and uniform arresting offenders and seizing drugs, dangerous weapons and cash profits from the hands of criminals.”   

South Wales Police Detective Inspector Richard George said: "South Wales Police is committed to dismantling the networks that exploit our communities through county lines drug supply. Our recent operation at Swansea train station highlights the importance of intelligence-led policing in disrupting criminal activities.

“We recognise that many young individuals caught in these situations may be victims of exploitation, and we are dedicated to safeguarding their welfare.

“Through collaboration with British Transport Police and specialised resources, we aim to protect the vulnerable while ensuring that those responsible for these crimes are held accountable.

“Together, we can create safer environments for everyone in our community."

The operation was organised by BTP’s Home Office funded County Lines Taskforce, a team dedicated to tackling drug supply on the railway and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults exploited by criminal gangs to move drugs.

It has experts in safeguarding and child exploitation embedded in the team, ensuring vulnerable people identified as being involved in the crime type are treated as victims and get the best support possible.