Massive London County Lines Crackdown Sees 222 Arrests
Last week, from Monday 27 February to Sunday 5 March, London police launched a fierce crackdown on county lines drug gangs behind waves of violence and chaos in communities across the capital.
Vulnerable Kids Exploited as Drug Runners
Offenders prey on vulnerable children, forcing them into dangerous drug networks. Instead of punishing these young victims, officers are working closely with Rescue and Response teams to safeguard and support them.
Staggering Stats from the Operation
- 222 arrests made
- 105 people charged with 223 offences
- 150 drug trafficking charges filed
- 131 charges related to Class A and B drugs
- 177 vulnerable individuals protected
- 77 county lines drug operations shut down
Officers also seized massive hauls including:
- 8.3kg of Class A drugs
- 37.6kg of Class B drugs
- £652,214 in cash
- Five firearms plus 51 weapons like knives, machetes, and swords
Top Cop Warns of Deadly County Lines Links
Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart, head of the Met’s county lines taskforce, said:
“County lines is intrinsically linked to homicide and serious violence. In fact, 80% of county lines offenders charged with drug trafficking this financial year have previous arrests for violence.”
“These gangs prey on children and young people, trafficking them into modern slavery with horrific emotional and physical abuse. Victims are coerced through violence, blackmail, and debt bondage to hold and supply drugs.”
“Those involved use weapons and serious violence including kidnaps to intimidate and threaten victims. They exploit the vulnerable to fuel Class A drug addiction, causing major social harm – more anti-social behaviour and a surge in crimes like burglary and robbery.”
“The Met works closely with partners to protect vulnerable people through prevention and diversion. We are relentless in pursuing those responsible for these abhorrent crimes and will bring them to justice.”
Operation Orochi and Yamata Take Down Drug Networks
Since November 2019, the Met has smashed over 1800 county lines and arrested more than 3300 offenders. Operation Orochi’s data-driven approach has led to over 1100 line holders being arrested, with 88% charged and 94% convicted. It has also resulted in 60 defendants facing 86 modern slavery offences.
Building on this success, Operation Yamata launched in April 2022 to dismantle drug networks linked to serious violence across London. Commissioner Mark Rowley expanded the operation in October 2022, part of a mission to deliver ‘Precise Community Crime Fighting’.
Children’s Charity Urges Vigilance
James Simmonds-Read, National Prevention Programme Manager at The Children’s Society, said:
“It’s crucial that professionals can spot when children have been exploited by criminals. We’re glad many vulnerable young people have now been identified and supported.”
“Any child, anywhere, including those entering adulthood, can be groomed and exploited.”
