A series of joint operations by Kent Police and British Transport Police have disrupted the supply of drugs in Kent via the rail network.
The undercover operations took place at Chatham, Gillingham and Rochester railway stations every week in June, targeting those suspected of bringing harmful substances into the county from other parts of the UK.
Impressive
The results were impressive: 10 arrests, 12 mobile phones, four weapons (including two knives, a dagger and a screwdriver), around £2,400 in cash and 400 wraps of class A drugs seized.
Detective Superintendent Lopa McDermott of Kent Police said: ‘We work closely with British Transport Police to stop criminals who cross county boundaries to supply class A drugs. We will continue to carry out operations like this to let them know that we are watching and we will catch them no matter how they travel into our county.
‘County line drug dealing is a violent and exploitative business that puts innocent people at risk. Tackling violent crime is one of our main priorities for Kent Police’s Safer Summer initiative, and we will not hesitate to take action against anyone who threatens public safety.’
Detective Superintendent Gareth Williams, British Transport Police County Lines Task Force lead, said: ‘This collaboration with Kent Police has been a great way to combine our resources and maximise our impact. We have successfully disrupted the local county lines operation and shown those who distribute illegal drugs that we will arrest and charge them, seize their assets and protect the vulnerable people who are exploited by them.
‘Drug dealing damages communities; it drives violence, affects the vulnerable and harms the public. We are committed to making the rail network a hostile place for drug dealers and we will do everything we can with our partners to break their supply lines, tackle organised crime and keep the public safe.’