Drug Trafficking
What do we mean by Drug Trafficking?
There are three classes of controlled drugs in the UK: Class A, Class B and Class C. Drug trafficking is a major source of revenue for Organised Crime Groups (OCGs). OCGs will move illegal drugs from one area to another, usually using children or vulnerable people, through a process known as County Lines. There are four main offences associated with illicit drugs: possession, supply, production and importation. Drug trafficking will almost always underpin other illegal OCG activities.
What do we mean by County Lines?
County Lines sees urban drug dealers, often from major cities such as London, move into suburban areas, market towns and coastal towns, and start selling their product there. A dedicated mobile phone number or deal line to run their criminal operation.
Spotting the Signs – In the Community
Signs that County Lines drug dealing is happening in your area:
- An increase in visitors and cars to a house or flat
- New faces appearing at the house or flat
- New and regularly changing residents (e.g different accents compared to local accent
- Change in resident’s mood and/or demeanour (e.g. secretive/ withdrawn/ aggressive/ emotional)
- Substance misuse and/or drug paraphernalia
- An increase in anti-social behaviour locally
Signs that a young person you know may have become involved in County Lines drug dealing:
- They have acquired unexplained, sometimes unaffordable new things (e.g clothes, jewellery, cars etc)
- They keep going missing, maybe for long periods of time
- They have been seen in different cars/taxis driven by unknown adults
- Truancy, exclusion, disengagement from school
- Unexplained injuries
Signs that a vulnerable neighbour may have been affected by County Lines:
- Frequent visitors to their home at unsociable hours
- Changes in their daily routine
- Unusual smells coming from their property
- Suspicious or unfamiliar vehicles parking outside their address
Spotted signs of County Lines?
You can anonymously report to Crimestoppers online. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that works to help communities. Your anonymous report will be sent to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate the crime you have reported. This could be your local police force, a Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), or a national partner such as the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Always call 999 in an emergency where you suspect threat to life.
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