County drugs line raid sees arrests as well as cash and weapons seized
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Around £2,000 cash has been seized and a large knife recovered after two police forces joined forces to target a suspected county drugs line across Luton and Northamptonshire.
The early morning operation on Tuesday (22 November) involved warrants at eight properties across both areas and resulted in the arrest of three men and a teenage boy on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
The teenage boy was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.
Two vulnerable people were safeguarded, and several mobile phones and around £2,000 in cash were also seized by police.
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Detective Inspector Tom Stean from Bedfordshire Police’s Boson guns and gangs team, which led the operation, said: “An operation like this requires commitment and courage - it is what we owe to our community and to those who remain victims in any callous, criminal county lines operation.
“Drug dealers cannot use children to ferry their drugs. It is important that we safeguard them from modern slavery and this life of violence and exploitation.
“This operation has been a great opportunity for both Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire forces to come together and tackle these crimes head on.
“It is a sad reality that children are at risk from county lines gangs in our area. Parents, carers, teachers, or anyone who works with young people – please be aware of the signs to spot and report things to us if you have concerns, so we can act.”
All four people have since been released on bail, pending further enquiries.
There are some signs to spot that a young person may be involved in county lines activity.
- Regularly going missing
- Having expensive items like clothes, cash, and trainers
- Lots of different mobile phones
- Relationships with older people
- Unexplained injuries
- Using phrases like going country, going cunch, trap house, plugging and bando
- Lots of train and bus tickets on their person
If you have concerns about drug dealing, modern day slavery and/or child exploitation then you can report this online or by calling 101.
Alternatively, you can report information to Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111 or via the website.
You can also get help from Bedfordshire's Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit.