Thirty people arrested in county lines crackdown

A week-long police operation aimed at tackling county lines drug dealing has resulted in 30 arrests.

Suffolk Police said eight supply lines were also disrupted and 1.46kg (3.2lb) of drugs with an estimated street value of about £148,000 was seized.

The operation was part of a national crackdown on county lines activities, aimed at reducing child exploitation and child criminal exploitation in particular.

Det Supt Tam Burgess said: "We have had some excellent results, with a number of those arrested quickly charged and remanded."

County lines is when illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries, and often by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into it by gangs, said police.

The county line is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs.

"People involved in county lines are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money often using coercive, intimidating behaviours including use and threats of violence and weapons," said Det Supt Burgess.

A range of awareness events and vulnerability checks took place and officers were trained to help them better identify and respond to victims of child exploitation.

Drugs, cash and weapons were seized, including cannabis plants and edibles, more than £10,000 in cash, two knives and 37 mobile phones.

Of the 30 people arrested, seven have been charged and remanded into custody.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.