A huge cache of terrifying weapons has been seized in a major crackdown on County Lines drug gangs. The Met Police arrested a total of 222 people during the week-long operation, and confiscated more than a million pounds worth of drugs, hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash and 56 weapons.
The weapons seized included huge machetes, samurai swords and other blades more fitting for the characters of fantasy series such as Game of Thrones than being brandished on Britain's streets. Five firearms were also seized in raids across the capital last week. Officers said their arrests had led to 105 people being charged with a total of 223 offences; 177 vulnerable people being safeguarded and 77 drug lines being closed.
The raids also unearthed 8.3 kilos of Class A drugs, 37.6 kilos of Class B drugs and more than £650,000 cash. Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart, the Met's lead officer on County Lines, said those involved in 'abhorrent' county lines gangs 'preyed' upon children and used violence to threaten and coerce others into doing their bidding.
He said: “County Lines is intrinsically linked to homicide and serious violence. Eighty per cent of County Lines offenders charged with drug trafficking this fiscal year have previously been arrested for violence.
"County lines networks prey upon children and young people, trafficking them and subjecting them to modern slavery involving horrendous emotional and physical abuse. Victims are coerced through violence, blackmail and debt bondage to hold and supply drugs.
"Those involved use weapons and serious violence including kidnaps to intimidate and threaten victims. County Lines networks also prey upon the vulnerable to fuel Class A drug addiction, which poses huge socio-economic consequences for communities; increasing anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crimes, including burglary and robbery.
"The Met takes a multi-agency approach to tackling County Lines and Exploitation, working with partners to protect the vulnerable through prevention and diversion. The Met is committed to relentlessly pursuing those responsible for County Lines drug supply, bringing them to justice for their abhorrent crimes."
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The raids were part of a week-long operation between Monday February 27, to Sunday, March 5, focusing on County Lines gangs. The Met claims to have now close more than 1,800 drug lines and arrested over 3,300 involved in County Lines gangs since November 2019.
They say the force's Operation Orochi County Lines Taskforce uses 'data-driven precision methodology' to arrest more than 1,100 'line holders', which has resulted in 88 per cent of those arrested being charged, and 94 per cent being convicted of their crimes. The task force has also charged 60 defendants with 86 modern slavery offences.
A new operation, known as Operation Yamata, was launched in April 2022, using the same data-driven approach to dismantle drug supply networks across the Capital. Last October Met Commissioner Mark Rowley expanded this operation as part of his vision to deliver ‘Precise Community Crime Fighting’.
James Simmonds-Read, National Prevention Programme Manager from the Children Society, added: "It’s crucial that professionals can identify when children have been exploited by criminals. So, we are pleased that many vulnerable people - including young people - have been identified to receive support.
"Any child in any community can be groomed and exploited and that includes children entering adulthood."
