Officers in Edinburgh were able to work with their counterparts from the West Midlands to rescue a young teen who was being used as a drug mule across County and national lines.
Police Scotland were alerted to a high risk 15-year-old that had gone missing and was suspected to be held in the Scottish capital. Police from the West Midlands told Edinburgh coppers that the individual was believed to be involved in ‘County lines activity.’
The Edinburgh County Lines Unit (ECLU), who were supported by officers from the English police branch, were able to locate the missing teen, who was safe and well, in a flat in the city. They were then taken home.
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It was discovered through the ECLU’s investigation that the young person was working as a runner for a Birmingham based County Line gang. They had links with associates who were located in the North-East of Edinburgh and conducted their relationship over the phone.
An effort involving a variety of different branches of police forces both north and south of the border was able to action four search warrants which were acted upon simultaneously in Edinburgh and Birmingham. As a result over £10,000 worth of cash and £50,000 worth of class A drugs were seized and four males were arrested.
Detective Inspector Bob Campbell, of Edinburgh CID, said: “In early April 2022, West Midlands Police contacted Police Scotland to advise they had a 15 year old high risk missing person suspected to be harboured in Edinburgh. It was suspected they were involved in County Lines activity.
“The Edinburgh County Lines Unit (ECLU) supported West Midlands Police and traced the missing person safe and well at a flat in Edinburgh, thereafter returning him home. The ECLU has then carried out enquiries into the reasons for the missing person being in Edinburgh, and through their investigations established he was a runner for a Birmingham based County Line.
“Enquiries into this line established a number of associates in the North-East of Edinburgh with activity being directed via telephone from Birmingham. Following partnership enquiries during April and May with British Transport Police, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, and Birmingham Gangs Unit, four Misuse of Drugs Act search warrants were executed simultaneously in Edinburgh and Birmingham, resulting in the arrest of four males and the recovery of £10,000 cash and £50,000 worth of class A drugs.
“Once again robust and targeted enquiries have led to the recovery of significant amounts of class A drugs intended for our communities, and with the support of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), we have ensured those involved are no longer allowed to enter Scotland.”
Despite this operation’s success, worrying statistics released by Edinburgh City Council’s Policy and Sustainability committee on August 30 show that total drug crime has increased by 30.7 per cent against the five year average. This means that there have been an additional 193 crimes detected.
The Edinburgh City Division Scrutiny Report from April to June 2022 also revealed that the possession of drugs has increased by 36.6 per cent compared to the previous five year average. But officers put the 190 crime rise down to and overall rise in drug crime and due to a high volume of offences recorded at a dance event.
But the production, manufacture and cultivation of drugs had fallen by 10.4 per cent, with one less crime reported. However the supply of drugs has increased by 4.6 per cent with five more crimes recorded.
The bringing drugs into prison did reduce by 69.7 per cent with five fewer crimes against the five year average. However this reduction was put down to a fall in visitor numbers during the pandemic and improved prevention mechanisms at prisons.
The report states: “Partnership work with the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre continues, with the aim of reducing the opportunities for external Serious and Organised Crime Groups to supply controlled substances in Edinburgh, whilst also providing safeguards for exploited children.”
You can read the rest of the report here.
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