POLICE chiefs have hailed efforts by a Coventry organised crime unit which have cracked seven ‘County Lines’ drugs networks.
West Midlands Police say gangs specialists working in Coventry have seized proceeds valued at £200,000 in just three months
Between April and June the team recovered drugs valued at £200,000 − mainly Class A heroin and crack cocaine − plus £55,000 in cash.
Officers raided 18 houses linked to organised crime and 25 people were arrested for offences including drugs supply, kidnap and extortion.
Police went on to seize weapons including two homemade ‘slam guns’, a shotgun, imitation firearms, combat knives and machetes.
Inspector Steve Malone, who leads the unit, said: “We’ve also seized 22 vehicles and carried out 69 stop searches during that three-month period. We’re really getting under the skin of people linked to gangs and disrupting their activity.
“The county lines drug supply chains have been operating into and out of Coventry into other force areas so we’ve been working closely with the Regional Organised Crime Unit, British Transport Police and colleagues in neighbouring police areas.
“The investment of additional staff by police leaders into the Gangs Unit has had a remarkable impact on criminals spreading misery in our city and fuelling the violence that causes fear in our communities, particularly that which affects our young people.”
“We’ve seized a dinner set worth £3000, thousands of pounds worth of designer clothing and electronics like phones and tablet computers. And if suspects can’t prove they’ve acquired them legitimately then we’ll look to permanently seize the goods.
“Many of our successes come thanks to information provided by the public. If you suspect anyone is linked to drugs or gangs then please let us know so we can take action to make our communities safer.”
People can message us on Live Chat via our website or call us on 101. Alternatively speak to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111; calls cannot be traced and callers won’t be asked for their names.
