Southampton arrests as police disrupt county lines gangs

At least 18 people have been arrested and drugs seized in Southampton as part of a week of tackling county lines drug dealing networks.

During the week of October 3 to October 9, officers from various teams made several arrests and warrants, and £7,000 in cash was seized.

On top of this, a number of patrols were carried out, four adults at risk of exploitation by drug dealers were safeguarded, and a knuckle duster was found, which will now be destroyed.

'You are not welcome here'

Inspector Hayley O’Grady, from Southampton’s High Harm Team, said: “This was one of our most successful weeks of action in Southampton to disrupt county lines drug dealers, who come from elsewhere in the country to set up their own franchises in the city.

“I hope this sends a clear message to them: you are not welcome here.

“This week of action is on top of the work we do all year round to root out drug gangs in the city and is made possible by the reports we get from our residents.

“Please continue to tell us about drug dealing in your neighbourhood so we can take action and bring offenders to justice.”

Who was charged? 

• Of the arrests, charges include Terail Buchanan-McDonald, 20, of King Georges Avenue in Watford, who was charged with being concerned with the supply of heroin and cocaine and assault by beating in Kent Street.

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At Southampton Magistrates’ Court on October 10 he pleaded guilty to all charges and has been remanded for sentencing at Southampton Crown Court on October 31.

• A 19-year-old from Southampton was also charged.

Ke-Juan Barrow, 19, of Golden Grove, was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, heroin, possession of a Class A drug, theft of a mobile phone and assault by beating.

At Southampton Magistrates’ Court on October 10, he was bailed with conditions to appear at Southampton Crown Court on November 11. He has not entered a plea.

• A warrant was carried out at an address in Broadlands Road, Southampton and a mobile phone, some scales and £4,310 in cash was seized.

Vishaal Hussain, 26, of Broadlands Road in Southampton, was charged with possession of criminal property and being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

He was remanded to appear at Southampton Crown Court on November 4.

• Kareem Francis, 26, of Purbrook Close in Southampton was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs – cocaine and heroin.

He will next appear at Southampton Crown Court on November 4.

• Two women from Trinidad and Tobago were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.

The 35-year-old and the 25-year-old were bailed with conditions not to leave the country while enquiries continue.

• On October 3 officers stopped a vehicle in Winchester Road, Southampton and searched the occupants of the car.
• Later in the week, a warrant was carried out at an address in Millbrook Road East in the early hours and four bundles of unknown substances were found in a kitchen drawer and seized.
• A 23-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, both from Southampton, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and were released under investigation while enquiries continue.
• Officers attended an address in Anson Drive due to concerns about the welfare of the occupant.

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Following a search, a large wrap containing an unknown substance was found in the toilet.

This was seized along with several other items including £500 in cash.

A 22-year-old from London was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug and was bailed with conditions while enquiries continue.

A 43-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman, both from Southampton, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.

He was released under investigation while enquiries continue and she was released with no further action to be taken.

• A large quantity of cannabis was found by police on October 6 in Argyle Road.

The drugs and around £2,500 in cash and six mobile phones were seized and a 27-year-old Southampton man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.

• A 31-year-old Southampton man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and possession of criminal property. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

A mobile phone, £505 cash and wraps of an unknown substance were located in his pocket and have been seized.

Anyone with information is asked to report information to police via 101, using their website, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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