Suspected drug dealers have been hit hard as Northumbria Police took part in a week-long campaign targeting County Lines gangs.
Officers arrested more than 100 people and seized more than £90,000-worth of drugs and cash as well as a number of weapons.
The force carried out a number of raids on properties in the North East, seizing illicit substances thought to be part of County Lines, which is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in the illegal drugs trade using dedicated mobile phone.
Criminals often send bulk text or social media messages to potential customers so they can then set up a deal and are also likely to exploit children and adults to move as well as store the drugs and money.
Read more: Drugs, weapons and cash seized during County Lines crackdown
The drug gangs will often use coercion, intimidation, violence, including sexual violence, and weapons, to intimidate people into working for them.
Officers made a total of 105 arrests during the week, with more than £33,580 of cannabis, £20,400 worth of MDMA and £1,300 worth of amphetamine uncovered.
A total of £36,815 in cash was also seized across the Force area, as were a number of weapons including two knuckle dusters and a BB gun which resembled a Glock 17 firearm.
Seven vehicles were seized by officers as well as a number of mobile phones believed to be linked to County Lines activity.
Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: “This type of criminality is something we will simply not accept in our communities.
“The practice often sees some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including children, coerced into the drug-dealing trade.
“We will always look to take the strongest action possible against those found to be involved in these abhorrent crimes.
“Our officers are becoming more and more aware of how to spot this type of activity. Offenders should make no mistake that we will root out your operation and bring you to justice.”
As part of the week of activity, the force also carried out a range of work to help educate local secondary school children about how they can be exploited as part of County Lines criminality.
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Young people can often be groomed into becoming mules and couriers, to taking over their accommodation in a practice commonly known as cuckooing.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “Anyone who thinks they can prey on vulnerable young people to move drugs around our region needs to think again. No one should get away with forcing victims into dangerous situations to sell drugs and satisfy their own greed.”
Anyone who suspects that something not quite right is happening in their community should contact Northumbria Police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the force’s website or call 101.
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