South West Police Tackle Drug Crime in County Lines Operation

Four County Lines Shut Down in Devon and Cornwall

A major drugs operation across the South West has seen 106 arrests, nearly £120,000 in cash seized, and dozens of vulnerable people safeguarded. Devon and Cornwall Police joined forces with Avon & Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU), and British Transport Police to disrupt organised drug gangs as part of a region-wide operation.

The work coincided with the national County Lines Intensification Week and resulted in 29 suspected county lines being shut down across the region.

Devon and Cornwall’s Contribution

Across Devon and Cornwall, officers made 41 arrests and seized £57,466 in cash. Drugs recovered included 85g of crack cocaine, 194.4g of heroin, 64kg of cocaine, 11.6kg of cannabis resin, and 0.5kg of ketamine.

Officers also seized three vehicles, 19 mobile phones and 11 weapons – including hunting knives, a stun gun and pepper spray. Fifteen people were safeguarded and four suspected county lines were dismantled.

Deputy Chief Constable Jim Colwell of Devon and Cornwall Police said:

“Our goals during Operation Scorpion 12 were to protect young and vulnerable people from the dual harms of illegal drugs activity. Illegal drugs can do great physical and psychological harm, and the criminal gangs associated with their supply have no qualms about who they exploit, coerce, threaten and harm to enable their activities.”

Jim continued:

“Devon & Cornwall Police has had a very successful Operation Scorpion and crackdown on county lines, and I’d like to thank all of our officers and staff, and our partners British Transport Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, for their huge efforts last week. They will continue this work day in, day out, all year round, in order to make the south west no place for drugs and to safeguard people from the effects of drug related crime.”

📷PD Ken Torquay

Weapons, Phones and Safeguarding

Across the whole region, police seized 65.7kg of cocaine, 274g of crack cocaine, 13.9kg of cannabis and 455g of heroin. They also took 26 weapons off the streets, impounded 17 vehicles including six e-bikes, and secured 100 mobile phones.

A total of 38 people were safeguarded as part of the operation.

📷Plymouth

‘Look Closer’ and Don’t Turn Away

As well as enforcement, the operation focused on raising awareness and preventing exploitation. Police worked with hotels, taxi and private hire firms, and postal services to help them recognise signs of exploitation and report concerns. They also visited schools to talk to young people about the risks of illegal vapes, which are believed to be linked to criminal networks exploiting children.

Regional Assistant Chief Constable Andy Hill from SWROCU said:

“The number of arrests, together with the drugs and weapons seized, shows the determination across the region to target and disrupt the organised crime groups looking to profit from the exploitation of young and vulnerable people.

“But just as crucial is the huge joint effort that’s been put into preventing them from being exploited in the first place, both through education of businesses and engagement with young people and professionals.

“It’s a stark reality that the average age of someone controlling a drugs line is 21, and the average age of a drug runner is just 15 to 17. Effectively tackling this is about everyone recognising the need to Look Closer to spot the signs of a young or vulnerable person being exploited and speaking up for them.”

To learn more about spotting the signs of child exploitation, visit The Children’s Society’s Look Closer campaign.

📷Warrant Penzance

Public Urged to Report Suspicious Activity

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said:

“Operation Scorpion demonstrates very clearly the unstinting enforcement work that goes on to close down county lines and to disrupt other drug related crime. This helps us to protect those who are being exploited and to relieve the misery that people tell me they are suffering due to drug dealing and drug abuse.

“I’d also like to thank the public who have come forward with information which is invaluable to helping the police focus their resources where needed. We particularly urge the public to let us know if they spot the signs that a young person might be exploited, perhaps into carrying drugs. Please look closer and if you have intelligence around suspected drug activity in your community, or you think someone is being exploited, please report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.”

Anyone who suspects illegal drug activity is encouraged to report it to the police via www.devon-cornwall.police.uk, call 101, or in an emergency call 999.

To remain completely anonymous, contact Crimestoppers online or call 0800 555 111.

📷Look Closer June

📷Cuckooing Cadets educating in Camborne