A national intensification week targeting County Lines and its associated criminality took place between Monday March 2nd and Sunday March 8th.
County Lines sees dealers expanding their illicit operations through dedicated mobile phone lines, known as deal lines, which sell highly addictive substances.
To maintain their illegal activity, criminals often exploit children and young people by grooming them into becoming drug mules, threatening violence, and intimidating them to keep them trapped.
Tarian ROCU supported our three constituent forces – South Wales Police, Gwent Police, and Dyfed-Powys Police – to achieve the following results:
- 101 individuals arrested
- 70 individuals safeguarded (37 males and 33 females)
- 34 cuckooed addresses visited
- 13 deal lines seized
- Over £70,000 in cash seized
- A significant amount of Class A drugs seized
- 27 weapons seized including knives and imitation firearms
- 72 mobile phones seized
- 7 vehicles seized
- Community engagement events, neighbourhood patrols and leaflet drops to raise awareness of the signs of County Lines exploitation
- School and college engagements
Regional Tactical County Lines Coordinator, Richard Weber, said:
“These results are the product of impressive and dedicated work by the three forces of southern Wales. These figures are some of the highest we have seen for an intensification period and only scratch the surface of what has been achieved. Tarian ROCU, South Wales Police, Gwent Police, and Dyfed-Powys Police are committed to tackling the threat posed by serious and organised crime and will continue to pursue offenders and safeguard victims.”
