Four arrested for drug offences during County Lines operation – London Bridge

Four men were arrested on suspicion of various drug offences following a British Transport Police (BTP) operation to identify passengers travelling who might be involved in County Lines drug dealing at London Bridge last week.

On Friday (31 January), BTP officers, including the County Lines Task Force and Violent Crime Task Force, were joined at the station by officers from the Metropolitan Police service, and by officers and passive drug detection dogs from City of London Police and Kent Police.

During the multi-agency operation, dubbed Operation Blume, officers were deployed to detect and disrupt criminal activity and to safeguard those being exploited. They were supported by Home Office immigration officers, Transport for London revenue officers, representatives from the local Independent Advisory Group, and Southwark social services. The operation was also aided by the local Business Improvement District, Team London Bridge.

Five men were arrested during the operation, alongside 74 stop and searches that were carried out and eight community resolutions handed out.

A man in his 20s was stopped by officers after he was seen pushing through the ticket barriers of the main concourse. He was searched after officers felt something concealed under his clothes, and was found to have been hiding crack cocaine and heroin on his person.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to sell and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, and a later search of his home by officers uncovered £4,000 in cash, a bag full of cannabis and crystal rocks, as well as a burner phone.

The man was later charged with being in possession with intent to sell and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court yesterday (3 February). 

Two other men were stopped and searched after they were spotted by plain clothes officers avoiding the drug detection dogs. The pair were stopped and searched, and one of the men was found to be in possession of two blocks of cannabis, while the other was found with around £2500 in cash.

The men, in their 30s and 60s respectively, were both arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to sell and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs and have been bailed while enquiries continue.

Another man in his 60s was stopped by plain clothes who noticed a strong smell of cannabis emitting from him. He was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of Class B drugs with intent to sell after being found to have multiple blocks of cannabis, scales, and over £400 of cash on his person.

A man in his 20s was arrested and taken into custody after being stopped and identified by police, with the man being found to have failed to appear at court for a hearing as part of a Metropolitan Police investigation.

County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within England, Scotland and Wales, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other forms of ‘deal lines’.

PC Lee Noble said: “I’m extremely pleased with the success of the operation, which saw us identify and apprehend people involved in County Lines activity.

“Our dedicated team works across the rail network throughout the country to tackle this exploitative activity, making critical interventions to safeguard vulnerable people from predatory and ruthless gangs.

“These operations can take place at any time and anywhere, and we will continue to work closely with our partners to make our communities and the railway network safer.

“If you have concerns for someone you know who is using the railway network, we urge you to contact us by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. Be aware that victims of exploitation may not always be obvious, and they may not be aware they are indeed victims.”