Home Secretary Joins Major Crackdown on County Lines Drug Gangs in Brixton
In the early hours of Wednesday, 16 September, Home Secretary Priti Patel rolled up her sleeves and hit the streets with officers from the Metropolitan Police and Sussex Police. Their target? County Lines drug gangs peddling Class A substances.
Youth Arrested in Early Morning Raid
The operation zeroed in on a Brighton Terrace address in Brixton, where a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.
Police seized a phone believed to control a County Line and a stash of Class A drugs. The search is still ongoing, with officers determined to crack the network wide open.
Operation Orochi Takes Aim at Lineholders
The raid was spearheaded by the Met Police’s dedicated County Lines team under Operation Orochi. Their mission: hunt down ‘lineholders’ who run the drug routes from London into the counties.
Detective Chief Inspector Ant Jones stated,
“Every day, Met officers work hand in glove with other forces to shut down County Lines networks. Our teamwork is key to disrupting these deadly trade routes and protecting vulnerable children and adults being exploited.”
Detective Chief Inspector Will Rolls of Sussex Police added,
“We relentlessly target dealers who poison our communities and prey on the vulnerable. Police action alone won’t solve this—we need to cut demand and support those caught in addiction. Together with local authorities, charities, and schools, we’re fighting back hard.”
Home Secretary Vows Firm Support and More Funding
Ms Patel praised the joint police efforts, highlighting a £25 million boost to tackle County Lines drug gangs. She said,
“Rolling up County Lines is a top priority. I’ve witnessed today how this investment is making a real difference. The police have my full backing in continuing to keep the public safe.”
The crackdown is set to intensify as authorities tighten the net on these dangerous criminal networks.
