Southampton arrests during County Lines Intensification Week

Officers also made 11 arrests between October 11 and 17, which was nationally dubbed as 'Intensification Week'.

Teams focussed specifically on disrupting county lines networks and the supply of drugs in the city.

Proactive patrols and a number of warrants in Southampton and London saw officers seize a large number of Class A drugs and more than £37,000 in cash.

The following arrests were made:

• On Monday, October 11, officers patrolling Palmerston Park searched a woman and a man after witnessing a suspected drugs deal taking place. During a search of the man, officers located a large quantity of suspected Class A drugs and herbal cannabis. A man, aged 23, from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He was questioned by officers and released under investigation while our enquiries continue.

• On Monday, October 11, officers patrolling Palmerston Park witnessed a suspected drugs deal taking place. The officers approached two males who both attempted to run off. Officers detained both males and carried out a search, during which a knife was located. A 17-year-old boy from London has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife. He has been questioned by officers and released on police bail, with conditions, while enquiries continue.

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• On October 12, officers patrolling in the Shirley area carried out a search of a man after witnessing a suspected drug deal taking place in an alleyway on Richmond Road. During the search they located a mobile phone and two sets of keys. This led officers to search an address in Foundry Lane. During the search, officers located a large quantity of suspected Class A drugs, £2,130 in cash, mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia. A 23-year-old man of no fixed abode and a 27-year-old man from London have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. They have been questioned by officers and released on police bail, with conditions, while enquiries continue.

• On Thursday October 14, officers carried out a warrant at an address in Richville Road. During the search a quantity of liquid containers, believed to contain Class B liquid drugs were seized along with over £35,000 in cash. A 30-year-old woman and two men aged 32 and 43, all from Southampton have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs and acquire/use/possess criminal property. They have all been questioned by officers and released under investigation while our enquiries continue.

Southampton City Centre Officers have been out tonight, focusing their patrols on the main High Street and the City Centre Parks. We will continue to be out this evening in High Visibility so please feel free to flag us down if you have any concerns.

Jack - 17695 pic.twitter.com/zNLhB7iGKQ

— Southampton Cops (@SouthamptonCops) October 21, 2021

Inspector Hayley O’Grady from Southampton’s High Harm team said “Disrupting county lines drug dealing and preventing the exploitation of vulnerable people is a priority for us in Southampton.

“County Lines is a term used to describe criminal groups who set up drug dealing operations in a place outside of their usual operating area. The groups move their drug dealing from big cities such as London and Liverpool to smaller towns in order to make more money. This can have a really big effect on communities who live there and brings with it serious criminal behaviour.

“Where there are drugs, there is almost always violence which is why tackling and disrupting the supply of drugs, especially through County Lines, is a vital part of our work to reduce violent crime and keep people safe.

“Often, drug dealers will take advantage of and exploit vulnerable housing tenants, taking over their home and using it as a base for their criminal operation. This is known as ‘cuckooing’. Not only do these gangs exploit vulnerable people, but they also target children and recruit them into their criminal network.

“While this intensification week has shone a spotlight on those running these toxic drug networks, we will continue to keep up the pressure on those known locally to us as being involved in this kind of activity.

“Working alongside our partners, we are committed to bringing criminals to justice and supporting people who are exploited by criminals."