County lines raid sees 13 arrests and drugs seized

A county lines crackdown in Lincolnshire has led to 13 arrests and the seizure of cocaine and MDMA drugs worth nearly £9,000.

Lincolnshire Police and British Transport Police (BTP) carried out raids on 18 and 19 March targeting suspected criminal gangs who were moving Class A drugs via railway lines into the county.

Along with the drugs, including cannabis, £5,590 of cash, three zombie knives, two machetes and 12 mobile phones were also found during the raid.

The two-day operation involved a sniffer dog and knife arches, which look similar to security scanners used in airports, to detect weapons, police said.

A 35-year-old man has been held for multiple offences including suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and drug-driving.

Ten people are suspected of various drug offences including possession with intent to supply, while two others have been arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Three children and an adult, who was believed to be a victim of cuckooing, had been safeguarded, the police said.

Cuckooing involves individuals or gangs manipulating vulnerable people to gain access to their properties for drug operations.

Insp Jon Birkin, of Lincolnshire Police, said: "Criminal gangs can make the mistake of thinking Lincoln is a quiet little city, and they won't meet resistance here.

"Our most recent operation with BTP shows that we're not working in isolation, there is a connected force of officers across the UK working together and sharing information to challenge and disrupt county lines, and we're part of that."

Det Insp Brian Buddo, of BTP, said: "This was yet another successful operation taking drugs and weapons off the streets as we continue to relentlessly target criminal gangs who use the railway network to profit from criminality and cause harm to communities."

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