Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Alastair Lockhart

Three arrested in County Lines drug crackdown in north London

File Image - (PA Archive)

Three men have been arrested in north London in a police operation against County Lines drug dealing.

The arrests were made in Camden and Islington on Wednesday as part of a Metropolitan Police operation.

Officers seized large quantities of cocaine and MDMA along with around £8,000 in cash in the raids.

The men, aged between 25 and 32, were arrested on suspicion of offences including concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of offensive weapons. They remain in custody.

It comes after a national operation between March 2 and March 8 in which 415 people were arrested by the Met.

The force said the crackdown on criminal gangs also saw 116 drug lines closed and £195,000 seized.

Officials added that 178 of those arrested were charged in relation to “high harm” offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarb Kaur, who works on County Lines for the Met, said: “County Lines devastate lives. It is so much more than drug dealing – it causes real, visible harm and has wide-reaching impact on communities across London.

Through warrants such as this one, we are dismantling organised crime groups whose drug dealing and county lines operations fuel the very violence and gang conflict that rips communities, including in Camden and Islington, apart.”

The Met asked those who are concerned about drug-related crime in their area or who think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation to call them on 101, but to call 999 in an emergency.

To provide information anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.

For more information on County Lines, visit www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.