WEAPONS, cash and illegal drugs were seized during a week of action targeting 'county lines' drug-dealing.

Officers also made 34 arrests, executed 12 warrants and visited up to 33 addresses where vulnerable adults could have been targeted or exploited by organised crime groups.

Up to £7,000 in cash, mobile phones, knives including a sword disguised as a cane, a knuckleduster and an imitation handgun were recovered during the week while heroin, cocaine, cannabis and Spice were also seized by police.

County lines is when criminals from major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, London and Birmingham expand their drug networks to other areas of the country. This activity brings violence, exploitation and abuse to rural communities.

Local Policing Units in Cheshire worked closely with other agencies throughout the week including neighbouring forces, councils and social care services. Macclesfield and Chester Local Policing Units also ran operations with British Transport Police (BTP) to target people using the railway to transfer drugs into the area.

To prevent children from being targeted by organised criminals, officers visited schools and colleges to make them aware of how to spot the signs of criminal exploitation.

The signs include:

  • A child or young person going missing from school or home and travelling to market towns or rural areas.
  • Self-harm or a significant change in emotional wellbeing or their behaviour.
  • The use of drugs and alcohol.
  • Having more money, new expensive clothes or accessories which they are unable to account for.
  • Having multiple mobiles, tablets or SIM cars and receiving an excessive amount of texts and calls.
  • Forming relationships and meeting with controlling or older people or groups.
  • Carrying weapons.
  • Significant decline in school results / performance.
  • Lone children from outside of the area.

The operation also safeguarded a number of vulnerable adults who are believed to have been a victim of ‘cuckooing’ – a term used to describe organised criminals who force their way into a person’s home to use as a secure operating base to deal drugs.

Acting Assistant Chief Constable Matt Burton said: “Officers across Cheshire have once again carried out some fantastic work to pursue serious and organised criminals and help protect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“While we regularly take action to disrupt county lines, the weekly focus enables us to go that extra mile by informing the public of what we’re doing, how they can look out for the signs of vulnerability and to report it.

“Keeping vulnerable adults and children safe is our priority in Cheshire. As well as carrying out warrants, making arrests and seizing drugs, it is also incredibly important the public are informed on how they too can help.”

The operation, which took place from Monday, May 13, was part of a national focus on county lines drug activity co-ordinated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

A county line is operated by an organised crime group (OCG) who use a mobile phone, known as a ‘line’ or a ‘graft’ to extend their criminal activity business into new locations - usually from a city into rural areas.

A/ACC Burton added: “What can often be forgotten is that there are victims at the centre of county lines. Vulnerable adults and children are often targeted to deliver and deal drugs on a criminal’s behalf after being criminally exploited, coerced and manipulated.

“Victims are fearful of the gang’s reputation and left feeling frightened and bullied as they become trapped into their world with no way out. They will often end up becoming reliant on the organised crime group who control their lives.

“This is why we talk to school children and teachers as well as visit businesses and speak with local residents to warn of the dangers to help stop them being taken advantage of.

“I want to take this opportunity to urge residents to keep spotting the signs of vulnerability, keep an eye out if they feel something isn’t right and to report it to us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Information can also be provided by email

https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries

The arrests were made in the following areas:

Northwich

  • Nicola Rock, aged 33, of Felmersham Avenue in Liverpool has been charged with possession of cannabis and two counts of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
  • Raymond Cartwright, aged 51, of Ford Court in Winsford has been charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Ellesmere Port

  • Michael Curtis, aged 42, from Delvine Drive in Upton was charged with possession of heroin.

Chester

  • A 22-year-old man from Chester was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine. He has been released under investigation.
  • A 28-year-old from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis and has been released under investigation.
  • A 30-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class B drug and has been released under investigation.
  • A 28-year-old woman from Chester was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Spice and has been released under investigation.
  • A 55-year-old man from Chester was arrested for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and has been released under investigation.

Widnes

  • A 23-year-old man from Litherland was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis. He has been released under investigation.
  • A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis. He has been released under investigation.
  • A 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class B drug and was released with no further action. The 17-year-old from Widnes was charged with possession of an imitation firearm.
  • A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine and amphetamine and production of cannabis and has been released under investigation.
  • A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis. He has been released under investigation.
  • A 22-year-old man from Widnes was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis. He has been released under investigation.

Runcorn

  • A 48-year-old woman from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin. She has been released under investigation.
  • A 44-year-old woman from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine. She has been released under investigation.
  • A 37-year-old woman from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin. She has been released under investigation.
  • A 48-year-old man from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis and cocaine and was given a caution. He was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis and has been released under investigation.
  • A 29-year-old man from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine and given a caution. He was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis and has been released under investigation.
  • A 17-year-old man from Runcorn was given a caution for possession of cannabis. He was released under investigation after being arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Warrington

  • A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and has been released with no further action.

Macclesfield

  • A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled B drug (cannabis) and has been released with no further action.
  • A 30-year-old man from Manchester was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A has been released under investigation.
  • A 25-year-old man from Accrington was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug (cocaine).

Crewe

  • A 17-year-old boy from Middlewich was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin and has been released under investigation.
  • A 23-year-old man from Middlewich was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply heroin and has been released under investigation.
  • Lewis Newton, aged 20, of Derrington Avenue in Crewe has been charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin.
  • A 20-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested for being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine and has been released under investigation.
  • A 21-year-old man from Kirkby was arrested for being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine and has been released under investigation.
  • A 43-year-old man from Crewe was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B and has been released under investigation.
  • A 40-year-old from Crewe was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B and has been released under investigation.
  • A 29-year-old man from Crewe was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B and has been released under investigation.
  • A 35-year-old woman from Crewe was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin and has been released under investigation.
  • A 32-year-old man from Crewe was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin and has been released under investigation.