North East Police Seize £80K in Cocaine and Arrest Over 100 in County Lines Crackdown.

In a robust operation targeting organised crime, Northumbria Police, alongside safeguarding partners and forces nationwide, have dealt a significant blow to county lines drug networks. These criminal enterprises, notorious for exploiting vulnerable individuals, rely on dedicated phone lines known as ‘deal lines ‘ to traffic illegal drugs. The week-long crackdown, commencing on 23 June, resulted in over 100 arrests and the seizure of cocaine valued at £80,000, alongside more than 10 kilograms of cannabis bud.

The National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) orchestrated this intensive effort, which identified nine active drug lines used to coordinate drug transactions via bulk text messages or social media. The operation follows closely on the heels of Operation Peterborough, a separate initiative focused on intercepting illegal cannabis imports through the postal system. Together, these efforts underscore a relentless commitment to disrupting the flow of illicit substances into the region.

Beyond drugs, the operation yielded a chilling array of weapons, including axes, claw hammers, machetes, and zombie knives, alongside 21 vehicles linked to criminal activity. These seizures highlight the violent undercurrent of county lines networks, which often use coercion and intimidation to exploit children and vulnerable adults for storing drugs and cash.

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Williams of Northumbria Police hailed the operation’s success, stating in a recent interview: “The results from our latest intensification week are fantastic, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their support in making this all possible. However, this activity merely reflects the work conducted daily. The North East is no haven for drug dealers, and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible before the courts.”

Community engagement formed a cornerstone of the operation, with officers visiting schools and deploying a knife arch to deter weapon-related crime. These initiatives aim to protect at-risk individuals, particularly those vulnerable to exploitation by ruthless criminal networks. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity via Northumbria Police’s social media direct messages, website live chat, or crime update form.

The scale of this crackdown sends a clear message: law enforcement in the North East is unwavering in its pursuit of those who profit from misery. 

While the Labour government pushes its narrative on crime, operations like this demonstrate that local forces, not Whitehall, are the ones delivering tangible results against organised crime.