British Transport Police (BTP) disrupted six County lines, arrested 65 people, and seized in excess of £80,000 in cash during a national County Lines week of action tackling drug supply across England, Scotland and Wales

British Transport Police (BTP) disrupted six County lines, arrested 65 people, and seized in excess of £80,000 in cash during a national County Lines week of action tackling drug supply across England, Scotland and Wales. 

 

The week was coordinated by BTP’s dedicated County Lines Taskforce (CLTF) and the operations featured uniformed and plain clothes officers, dogs trained in passive drug detection and metal detection arches. 

 

As part of the enhanced activity from Monday 25th November - Sunday 1st December during the national County Lines Intensification Week, 49 operations were conducted across the railway network, with 38 in partnership with local police forces. 

 

Officers deployed at stations and on train services as well as executing several search warrants at various addresses to combat County Lines, making a total of 88 drug seizures, removing 42 weapons from the railway, and seizing 74 mobile phones used for drug supply. 

 

BTP’s County Lines taskforce (CLTF) works to not only arrest offenders and get drugs off the streets but to prevent people getting drawn into criminality and safeguard those involved who are most vulnerable. 

 

The week saw 21 people receive care and support interventions and they were safeguarded away from the dangers of County Lines. 

The Taskforce worked closely with CPS and secured three further charges under the Modern Slavery Act further demonstrating BTP’s commitment to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are not exploited to carry drugs and money on behalf of criminals.

Det Supt Craig Payne said: “County Lines criminals cause harm to those using the railway network and our communities. The knives and weapons we’ve seized during this week of action demonstrate the violence we know often goes hand in hand with county lines drug dealing. 

“The activity this week has had a significant impact on County Lines gangs and undoubtedly made our streets and railways safer. We will continue to relentlessly pursue County Lines criminals and, through our safeguarding focused partnership approach, protect the young and vulnerable they seek to exploit.”

 

"We encourage anyone to report any signs of child exploitation or any concerns to us by discreetly texting 61016, any information can help lead to the capture of those responsible."

Reports can be made to BTP on 0800 40 50 40, by calling 999 in an emergency and you can report any information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



Stand out results include:

**BLACKPOOL 25/11
A 19-year-old man from Lancashire was arrested in Blackpool. 
A graft phone and wraps of crack were found during a search of his property.

**NORWICH RAILWAY STATION 26/11
Two 17 year old boys were arrested at Norwich, one for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession of class B drugs and possession of a bladed article. 
The second was arrested for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession of class B drugs.

**SCUNTHORPE 26/11
The CLTF took part in a joint deployment with MPS and Lincolnshire Police in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

A  23 year old man was arrested for being concerned in the supply of lass A drugs (Heroin) and possession of an offensive weapon. 

During a search of his home an imitation firearm, air rifle, zombie knife, machete, knuckle duster and a crossbow were recovered. Two burner phones and 70 wraps of Heroin were also seized.

A 19 year old man was arrested for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. He was found to be in possession of three burner phones and £1,100 in cash.

**ERITH AND BELVEDERE STATIONS  25/11
During a joint operation with MPS and safeguarding partners a 16 year old boy was found to be in possession of Cannabis and was arrested at Erith station by MPS officers for possession with intent to supply class B drugs.He alleged another boy at Belvedere station was forcing him to transport drugs and that the boy was carrying a knife and had threatened him with it. 
BTP CLTF officers made their way to Belvedere station where the suspect, another 16 year old boy was searched and found in possession of a large sword. He was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs. 
Safeguarding work continues with social services and MPS involvement. An investigation into exploitation is ongoing.

**ABBEY WOOD  27/11
As part of a joint deployment with Kent Police, a 25 year old man was stopped and arrested for possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon. 
He was found to be in possession of 64g of Heroin, 80g of Cocaine, six Nokia burner phones, two zombie knives, one machete and £3,930 cash. 
He has been charged and remanded.

**NORTHAMPTON 28/11
BTP CLTF officers working on Op Intern with Northamptonshire Police arrested three men for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
A 22 year old man was found to be in possession of a burner phone and £190 cash.
An 18 year old man was found in possession of 50g of Class A Heroin, a hunting style knife and two phones, one being a burner phone. 
A second 18 year old man was found to be in possession of a knife, £140 cash and an iPhone.

**NEWCASTLE CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION 28/11
A 46 year old woman was spotted at Newcastle Central Railway Station smoking Cannabis in public. Following a stop search she was found to be in possession of two bags of Cannabis buds and resin, two jars (one containing a red substance deemed to be magic mushroom extract and another containing alleged herbal pills) and a lock knife. She was arrested for possession of a controlled class A drug, possession of a controlled class B drug and possession of a bladed article in public.

**SURBITION RAILWAY STATION  29/11
A 21 year old man at Surbiton station was stop searched and found to be in possession of multiple bags of herbal cannabis and multiple bags of cannabis edibles. He was arrested for possession with intent to supply class B drugs. 
A section 18 search on his home address recovered a large box of 50 Cannabis vapes.  

SNODLAND, KENT  28/11
In a joint deployment with Kent Police two section 8 warrants were successfully executed as part of Op Seed: 
• A warrant at the address of a 39 year old man was executed in relation to being concerned in the supply of controlled class A drugs; officers found 1kg of Cannabis and £13,000 in cash. 
• Another warrant at a second 39 year old man’s address was also executed in relation to being concerned in the supply of controlled class A drugs; officers found nine mobile phones (eight of which were Nokia burner phones), 560g of Cocaine and £50,000 in cash. 
Both subjects have been remanded in custody.