Eight arrests as police clamp down on drug deals

Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of drug dealing on the streets of a seaside resort.

Norfolk Police said it was tackling county lines operations in Great Yarmouth during January, making arrests and seizing drugs and money.

County lines is the name given to drug dealing where phone lines are used to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.

"I want to make it clear that we are working tirelessly to identify, locate and detain those that are most intent on profiting from the vulnerable in our town," said Insp James Makepeace, from Great Yarmouth's Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Two arrests were made near the cemeteries off Kitchener Road, while other arrests were made in Great Yarmouth's market place, on the seafront and in King Street.

Police released these details:

• 7 January: a suspect in his late teens is found to be in possession of cash and multiple wraps of cocaine

• 14 January: a man in his 20s arrested on suspicion of offering controlled drugs for sale is found to be in possession of wraps of heroin and cocaine and a mobile phone linked to a county lines network

• 22 January: a man in his 20s is arrested near the seafront on suspicion of selling drugs and a search of a nearby address uncovers drugs with a street value of £70,000, two county line phones and a large quantity of cash

• 28 January: a man and woman in their 20s are arrested in possession of a small amount of drugs, cash, and a phone linked to a county lines network

• 30 January: a man in his 20s with cash, drugs and mobile phones and a woman in her late teens are arrested in a joint police operation

• 31 January: a man in his late teens is detained on suspicion of being involved in the supply of controlled substances and a search uncovers drugs, weighing scales and cash

Four of the people arrested were remanded in custody awaiting court proceedings, while the others were granted bail either by the court, pending their next hearing, or by police.

Insp Makepeace added: "These results are not a one-off.

"They are frequently and regularly achieved by the hard work of our officers throughout the organisation.

"We hope this continued action shows that Great Yarmouth is not an easy place to supply drugs in."

Norfolk Police said anyone concerned about drugs, or anyone with information, should contact by the force on 101, via its website, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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