Multiple arrests and drugs taken off Mansfield and Ashfield streets after county lines operation

Nottinghamshire Police arrested multiple suspects and took drugs and weapons off Mansfield and Ashfield streets during a “proactive week of action” to tackle drug dealing between neighbouring counties.
By Phoebe Cox
Published 25th Oct 2023, 15:22 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2023, 15:22 BST
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As part of a national week of intensification, Nottinghamshire officers have taken part in coordinated action to disrupt those involved in county lines drug dealing and protect the vulnerable people from criminal activity.

More than £8,500 in cash was seized and a Samurai sword and three knives were recovered in raids and searches in Nottingham, Mansfield, Ashfield and other parts of the county.

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County lines is a term used to describe urban gangs supplying drugs to other parts of the UK using dedicated mobile phone lines.

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Nottinghamshire Police arrested multiple suspects and took drugs and weapons off the streets during a "proactive week of action" to tackle drug dealing between neighbouring counties. Image of seized items.Nottinghamshire Police arrested multiple suspects and took drugs and weapons off the streets during a "proactive week of action" to tackle drug dealing between neighbouring counties. Image of seized items.
Nottinghamshire Police arrested multiple suspects and took drugs and weapons off the streets during a "proactive week of action" to tackle drug dealing between neighbouring counties. Image of seized items.

The gangs frequently exploit children or vulnerable adults to move and store drugs – using violence and coercion to force people into dealing.

Throughout the week – Monday, October 9, and Sunday, October 15 – eight people were arrested after being linked to county lines activity in Nottinghamshire.

More information about the week can be found at www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice/county-lines

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Officers referred four vulnerable people to safeguarding services and also engaged with hundreds of young people through youth outreach, school visits and cadet training sessions organised to discuss the issue.

Officers from the force’s dedicated county lines and modern slavery unit, working alongside multiple other teams, found quantities of cocaine, steroids, ecstasy and more than £20,000 of cannabis during a series of proactive raids.

Teams also recovered luxury goods including designer hand bags, sunglasses and clothing.

Detective Inspector Jamie Bennett, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This is a national issue and we continue to work hard to identify criminal gangs, take out the drug dealing line and bring the offenders to justice.

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“The proactive county lines team works closely with the force’s proactive operation reach and neighbourhood policing teams to tackle the problem throughout the year.

“This week of action gives us the opportunity to highlight our ongoing work.

“The arrests and seizures made are really positive developments. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication and teamwork shown by officers.

“We continue to do everything in our power to safeguard our communities and vulnerable young people against organised drug crime and crack down hard on dealers looking to prey on others.”