Hull: Nine arrested in connection with ‘county lines’ drug dealing

A total of nine people (six in Hull, two in Birmingham and one in Manchester) were arrested following warrants, served at premises in Hull, Birmingham and Manchester on Monday 15 August.

As a part of a planned operation, warrants were carried out across the country with assistance from Greater Manchester Police, West Midlands Police, British Transport Police.

In a bid to continue to tackle county lines operating in the local area officers executed the simultaneous warrants at addresses on Spring Bank and Beverley Road, Hull.

Alongside those arrested in Hull, officers recovered approximately £70,000 in cash, a quantity of Class A drugs, weapons and a number of electronic devices, thought to be used in connection with the distribution of drugs.

Detective Sergeant Matt Grantham leading the investigation said: “This is a great result which has caused some significant disruption to the operation of ‘county lines’ drugs gangs in our force area.

“Tackling drug crimes within the Humberside force area is a priority for us as it has a big impact on local communities. Antisocial and disruptive behaviour often follows drug use and dealing which negatively impacts our communities.

“Importantly the operation also opened windows of opportunity for us, together with the wider Community Safety Partnership, to identify and safeguard vulnerable members of the public targeted by these gangs.

“I would like to thank our colleagues from partnering agencies for their support, as well as the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre who assist us in being able to carry out days of action like this.

“I would also like to thank all the people who contact us with information about drug dealing and drug-related crime in their areas.”

The nine people arrested in connection with the investigation include:

• A 15-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of Class A drugs
• A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of Class A drugs
• An 18-year-old man, 31-year-old man, 41-year-old woman and 53-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of Class A drugs.

A 19 year-old-man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of Class A and a 24-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of Class A and human trafficking in Birmingham. As well, a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of Class A in Manchester.

They have now all been released under investigation whilst officers continue to conduct lines of enquiry.

If you have any concerns about drug dealing in your area, speak to your local officer, call into your nearest station or call the our non-emergency 101 line.

If you’d rather not give your name, you can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.