Over £900k of illegal drugs seized and 38 children and vulnerable adults safeguarded in crackdown on County Lines drug operations
Enforcement action to target County Lines operations across Scotland has resulted in 43 arrests and 38 children and vulnerable people safeguarded.
The activity, which ran throughout January, February, and March and culminated with the UK-wide National County Lines Intensification Week, saw 58 search warrants executed by Police Scotland during this period.
Cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, ketamine and cannabis worth over £900,000 were seized from a number of addresses across the country.
In addition, over £33,457 in cash and 12 weapons including machetes, zombie knives, swords, and knuckledusters were also recovered.
This work included Operation Silentridge, which targeted 12 groups involved in County Lines drugs and organised crime in Inverness. During the operation, 16 persons were arrested and seven persons charged with concern in the supply of Class A drugs.
County Lines are drugs networks that distribute and supply illegal drugs from major cities into smaller towns and rural areas to maximise profits. They are operated by gangs who coerce children and vulnerable adults to transport and store drugs and cash.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston, Head of Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, said: “National County Lines Intensification Week is an important opportunity to spotlight our year-round commitment to protecting children and vulnerable people and sends a clear message to criminals seeking to exploit, groom, and coerce them.
“We work tirelessly every day to disrupt drug supply and protect communities. Organised criminals don’t care about the people they harm, they only care about power and money.
“This is simply not welcome or tolerated in Scotland.
“We continue to work in partnership with a wide range of national organisations, including a number of agencies who through collaboration support the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and Strategy within Scotland, to crack down on those involved in County Lines activity.
“But we can’t do it alone. If something doesn’t look or feel right, trust your instincts and report it. Even a small bit of information can make a significant difference and help protect our communities.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance said: “I welcome the positive outcomes from Police Scotland’s enforcement activity during National County Lines Intensification Week, which has helped safeguard a number of vulnerable individuals.
“It is despicable that organised criminals seek to profit by coercing and exploiting vulnerable people, and this enforcement sends a clear message that action will be taken to disrupt these crimes.
“By using all means available to identify and support those at risk, partners on Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce continue to bring criminals to justice and help keep our communities safe.”
Of the 38 vulnerable persons safeguarded, 9 were children.
Safeguarding measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of all vulnerable persons. Joint working between the relevant police services is ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement and to gather evidence of child criminal exploitation with consideration of human trafficking offences.
Lesley Gordon, UK Director for Criminal Exploitation, Action for Children, said: “The impact of criminal exploitation, including County Lines, on the lives of children and young people is utterly devastating. We continue to see the serious harms inflicted by exploiters on children, their families and their local communities.
“Through our Criminal Exploitation Intervention Services across Scotland and the UK, we support children, young people, and families affected by exploitation working closely in partnership with police and other agencies.
“Criminal exploitation is a form of child abuse. And we welcome this work targeted at exploiters intent on causing harm.”
Reports from the public play a vital role in informing the intelligence Police Scotland use to investigate criminality and prevent harm.
Anyone with concerns or information regarding County Lines should contact Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency. You can also report anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.