Cash, drugs and fake goods seized in crackdown

Over £309,000 worth of counterfeit goods, cash and Class A drugs have been seized during a week-long crackdown in South Yorkshire.

The focus of the campaign, between 25 November and 1 December, was shutting down drugs lines and safeguarding vulnerable people, police said.

A total of 19 arrests were made as part of the campaign and 112 men and women at risk of exploitation were safeguarded, according to a force spokesperson.

Det Supt Pete Quinn said: "These are brilliant results we have seen across the week, but the hard work doesn't stop there. We will continue to work hard to find those involved in county lines and child exploitation, and safeguard victims."

Over £5,700 worth of cash and almost £3,400 worth of Class A drugs were seized during the operation.

Meanwhile, a "staggering" one million counterfeit cigarettes, worth an estimated value of £300,000, were seized at a location in Hexthorpe by police working alongside His Majesty's Revenue and Customs officers, the force spokesperson said.

Teams from British Transport Police, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit and local authorities worked with officers from South Yorkshire Police as part of the campaign.

The week of action, coordinated by the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre, also focused on educating young people on the dangers of becoming involved in drugs and providing training for businesses on spotting the signs of exploitation.

Det Supt Quinn, force lead for county lines, said: "Exploitation is happening all too often, and children are entitled to have a happy and safe childhood.

"We are encouraging people to spot the signs of exploitation and report anything that doesn't seem right.

"You can report to us by calling 101 or through our online portal."

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