Merseyside Police's dedicated County Lines task force raided houses over 350 miles away in a bid to disrupt organised crime groups.
Officers from Merseyside Police's Project Medusa carried out a joint operation with local police forces in Cornwall earlier this week targeting drug related offences. The activity happened as part of a national week of action targeting the supply of drugs and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
The large-scale operation involving 100 officers, carried out a series of warrants across the southern county. The operation, which involved a number of local teams as well as Merseyside Police's specialist officers and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU), made 31 arrests and seized a large amount of drugs, cash and bladed weapons.
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Superintendent Martin Earl from Merseyside Police said: "Our Project Medusa team have had a successful week of intensification, working with local police in Cornwall and SWROCU. There is no doubt that the additional activity we have carried out will have further disrupted organised crime groups and the use and supply of drugs across the country.
"As a force we are committed to working alongside partners and other forces to close County Lines and protect vulnerable people. We will relentlessly target those crime groups who cowardly exploit vulnerable people in our communities."
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, added: "It is absolutely vital that we work with other forces to tackle the drug dealing which does so much damage in our communities. These operations will continue with my full support, which includes direct financial investment, so our communities and the dealers who seek to exploit our most vulnerable citizens understand that this evil trade will not be tolerated here."
1,658 people were arrested across the nationwide week of action. Merseyside Police made 69 arrests in the Merseyside area during the County Lines Intensification Week running from February 27 to March 5 with more than £250,000 seized and six County Lines were shut down.
Additionally, 481 wraps of crack cocaine, 386 wraps of heroin, 65 wraps of cocaine, 2kg of cannabis and 500,000 illicit Class B and Class C prescription tablets were recovered during warrants and other activity across Merseyside. Twenty-nine charges were made following arrests.
Project Medusa has closed 842 County Lines and arrested more than 2,200 people for offences including drug supply, firearms and money laundering since 2019. Officers have also identified 1,186 children and vulnerable adults who have been referred to safeguarding services.
Commenting on the work that took place across the week, Superintendent Earl added: "As a force we are committed to working alongside partners and other forces to close these County Lines and protect vulnerable people. We will relentlessly target those crime groups who cowardly exploit vulnerable people in our communities.
"We thank the public who share information with us about drug dealing or any vulnerability they see, this intelligence is vital to protecting our communities. It’s important everyone who cares for or knows a young and/or vulnerable person can spot the warning signs. You can visit the Eyes Open campaign to learn more and tell us if something doesn’t feel right."
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