Met Police Smash Over 100 County Lines Gangs in One Week
The Metropolitan Police have smashed more than 100 county lines drug gangs in a massive week-long crackdown across the UK. A staggering 301 suspects were arrested and 260 vulnerable people safeguarded in this major operation.
Biggest County Lines Bust Yet
County lines involve organised crime groups using mobile phones to push class A drugs — mainly crack cocaine and heroin — from cities into towns and rural areas. The Met’s relentless campaign saw officers intercept these networks and rescue vulnerable individuals who might have been forced into crime.
Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick warned: “Behind these networks are dangerous individuals, capable of manipulating and exploiting anyone to achieve their aims.” She added that Met officers are working hand-in-hand with other UK police forces to cut off these violent crime routes.
Key Raids and Huge Cash Seizures
During the swoop, police disrupted a major county line connecting London with Hampshire. Four men were arrested at properties in London and charged in connection with the crime.
The haul includes over £600,000 in cash, highlighting the enormous scale of the illicit trade.
National Fight Against Organised Crime
The Met says this crackdown is part of a wider UK-wide effort to tackle serious organised crime. Police forces across the country are continuing to collaborate, targeting the shadowy networks responsible for flooding communities with dangerous drugs.
With hundreds arrested and scores of vulnerable people saved, this week’s operation sends a strong message to county line gangs: the crackdown is only just beginning.
