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25
Sept 2020
Fifteen arrests in North Yorkshire county lines crackdown
North Yorkshire Police has arrested 15 people and visited 64 vulnerable people during a week-long crackdown on county lines drug dealing.
As part of an effort led by the National Crime Agency and Regional Organised Crime Units, 14 men and one 17-year-old boy were arrested in the county.
The arrests included three men who were intercepted by plain clothed officers on Montpellier Hill in Harrogate. Officers also seized large amounts of heroin and cash when searching the suspects.
One man is also awaiting a crown court trial after being charged with supplying heroin and possessing criminal property in Harrogate.
Officers also made arrests in Keighley and Skipton during the crackdown.
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The 15 suspects were arrested on suspicion of various offences ranging from supplying heroin to possessing cash obtained through criminality.
Officers also helped to support vulnerable people, including those who are forced to travel from town to town selling drugs or who were victims of what is known as “cuckooing”. This is where vulnerable people, often drug users or those with mental or physical disabilities, are forced into allowing drug dealers to stay in their homes which are then used as a base to store and sell drugs.
Police also worked with British Transport Police to target people using the rail network to bring drugs into North Yorkshire from towns outside of the county and to raise awareness among passengers of exploitation and signs to look out for.
Chief Inspector Emma Aldred of North Yorkshire Police said:
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