County Lines drug networks shut down in Surrey

Eleven County Lines drug networks were dismantled in Surrey during national County Lines Intensification Week, which ran between 2-8 March.  

County lines is a term used for organised illegal drug-dealing networks who move drugs between areas using dedicated phone lines, often relying on violence, exploitation and the coercion of vulnerable people, including children, to run their operations.  

Led by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), Surrey joined up with neighbouring forces to conduct targeted activity combining enforcement, safeguarding, and partnership work with charities and local agencies.  

The latest week of targeted action in Surrey saw some of the best results to date: 

Enforcement  

• 28 arrests 

• 11 drug lines shut down 

• Approximately £28,000 cash seized 

• 0.44g of Class A drugs (141g crack, 16g heroin, 14g cocaine) 

• 1.25Kg cannabis seized 

• 1.63g fentanyl 

• 7.02g ketamine  

• 8 weapons – including knifes, machete and swords – removed from streets  

• 2 firearms seized 

• Assets seized: designer goods including luxury watches 

Various engagement events took place across the week, including: 

• Bespoke county drugs line training delivered to safeguarding leads from 151 schools in Surrey 

• Hotspot and high visibility patrols undertaken across the county 

• Engagement stands at schools and town centres 

• 260+ pupils engaged with at schools across Surrey 

• Previous cuckooed properties visited 

• Multiple hotels visited with education provided to staff 

• 2 x closure orders granted - Woking and Leatherhead 

• Multiple partner based proactive operations in Epsom, HMP Highdown and Guildford Railway 

• Gaming van deployed at multiple venues as a form of engagement with young persons and parents 

County line and Drug harm coordinator, Alex Gillot said: “This was the sixteenth occasion we have concentrated resources to the dedicated week of action to tackle County Drugs lines and associated harm.  

“County Lines have a devastating impact on communities which brings serious harm to people, not just through the supply of drugs, but also the associated violence and exploitation. 

“Work continues throughout the year to disrupt and dismantle County lines, but it is advantageous to also focus a national intensive response.  This week saw that strong commitment to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders and provide avenues for education and prevention.” 

Our dedicated County Drug Line unit Centurion, working in conjunction with colleagues both within and external to Surrey Police, recently concluded their investigation into a Class A drug supply network operating in East Surrey and the surrounding areas. The operation resulted in 12 men being sentenced to a combined total of over 47 years in prison.   To read the full story click here.