A week-long crackdown on County Lines drug networks across Derbyshire has resulted in numerous arrests and the safeguarding of vulnerable people from criminals.

A total of 23 people were arrested for a wide range of offences including dealing cocaine, cannabis and heroin, possession of an imitation firearm and robbery.

Officers also executed numerous search warrants and conducted operations to target and disrupt suspected drug dealing gangs.

Specialist teams engaged with victims and members of the public to warn about the dangers of exploitation – all as part of County Lines Intensification Week (June 23 to June 29).

Detective Inspector Chris Ford, who heads up the Criminal Exploitation Team, said: “As a team we are always working to stop this criminality from taking place in our communities but weeks of action like this provide a great opportunity to highlight what we do to the public.

“Our week of action has resulted in numerous arrests, the removal of drugs from our streets and the disruption of many dedicated County Line drug operations across the county and while there is always more that can be done, I am pleased with what has been achieved during this week of action.”

He added: “We have also taken the opportunity to go out and speak to young people and the wider public about how to spot the signs of exploitation. This is an important aspect of what we do because preventative measures are just as important as enforcement action.

“County Lines drug dealing and the associated exploitation has a devastating impact on communities but I want the public to be reassured that we will not stop in our efforts to target those who prey on others, who are so often vulnerable, for their own criminal gain.

“This week of action was part of a national crackdown to ensure our communities are safer from exploitation and criminal gangs.” 

Officers executed a search warrant at a property in Normanton and discovered heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis with a street value worth several thousand pounds. An 18-year-old man was arrested and charged with drug dealing. He has been remanded into custody.

We carried out a dedicated operation to disrupt the dealing of cannabis and cocaine in Buxton. Officers searched a property and seized drug paraphernalia, hundreds of pounds of cash and weapons. Two men and two boys were arrested in connection with drug offences and have been bailed with conditions.

As part of our wider Op Trapped initiative, officers from the Exploitation and Safer Neighbourhood Teams also worked with partner agencies to visit members of the public across the county including in Chesterfield, Amber Valley and the Derbyshire Dales.

They delivered advice around spotting the signs of cuckooing - a form of criminal exploitation where vulnerable people are coerced into offering up their accommodation to criminals, who then use it as a base for drug dealing and other offences.

The week also saw a focus on prevention, with officers working to raise awareness of the signs that people may be being exploited by County Lines gangs. Our Youth Engagement Teams visited Derby College and more than 60 schools to advise about 6000 young people about how to spot the signs of exploitation.

Officers also visited to Derbion shopping centre to speak to staff and shoppers about spotting the signs of exploitation as part of our #LookCloser campaign. 

A taxi licensing operation was conducted in Derby in which nearly 40 drivers were spoken to as part of checks to make sure they had all of their paperwork in order.    

The week of action was led by Derbyshire Constabulary’s Exploitation Team and was part of a UK-wide operation aimed at disrupting the activity of drug networks that target and exploit the most vulnerable members of society.

For more information about how to spot the signs of exploitation, cuckooing and County Lines criminal gangs, please visit:-

Spot the signs of exploitation | Derbyshire Constabulary

County lines | Derbyshire Constabulary

Behind closed doors – how to spot the signs of cuckooing | Derbyshire Constabulary

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.