Nine firearms, a large amount of cash, zombie knives and £200,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis have been seized across London in Scotland Yard’s war on county lines drug gangs.
More than 290 suspects were arrested in the week ending March 10, with 95 networks closed down.
Police safeguarded another 210 children and vulnerable young people being exploited to courier drugs from the capital to smaller UK towns and city.
Detective Superintended Kirsty Mead, who leads the Metropolitan Police’s county taskforce, revealed officers are working closely with Transport for London, taxi and major private hire operators to stop the trade in child exploitation.
Licensed drivers who suspect their vehicle is be used to move young people and drugs are urged to contact police.
Eight XL bully dogs were seized in UK-wide raids that led to 1,874 arrests with British Transport Police, also covering London, disrupting seven county lines and arrested 62 criminals.
The Met confiscated nine firearms - including Glocks, revolvers and a handgun - as well as six imitation pistols, 75 zombie knives, machetes and swords, plus £452,554 in cash and 14 vehicles.
Det Supt Mead, who leads the Met’s response to county lines, added: “County lines is much more than drug dealing.
“It causes real, visible misery to young people and vulnerable adults, and completely destructs communities.
“Officers and partners – such as Catch22, Rescue and Response, The Children’s Society, Transport for London, local authorities, and the transport and health sectors – pulled together to achieve these results and worked hard to safeguard the most vulnerable in our society while also removing the offender that cause serious harm off our streets.
“The Met is committed to tackling county lines and our efforts remain ongoing day in, day out, and the week of intensification is only an extension of that work.
“However, we cannot do this alone. By working closely with parents, schools, local authorities, the Government, the transport and the health sectors, we can bring everyone together and dismantle this devastating distribution model, making London safer for everyone.”
Policing minister Chris Philp said: “County lines gangs inflict harrowing damage and misery, using violence and intimidation to exploit children and vulnerable people to do their dirty work.
“Our police forces work incredibly hard every day to break up these criminal networks and I want to pay thanks to our officers for their continued efforts to tackle this vile activity.”
James Simmonds-Read, of The Children’s Society, added: “We have been working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service to keep children safe during just this week of action, and throughout the year.
“This week’s focus shines a spotlight on child exploitation and addresses the myth that these children aren’t victims or don’t need our help.
“They are victims of child exploitation and we must make sure this is recognised and they get the right support.”
