Members of suspected ‘county lines’ drug gangs in the Thames Valley Police force area received a rude awakening when a series of early morning raids were carried out.

The week of action, which took place between Monday, October 3 and Friday 7 was coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC).

During the high intensity week of action officers arrested 46 people on suspicion of in the supply of county lines drug dealing.

Several teams were deployed to work on the week of action working closely with partners from local authorities, homeless charities and schools. 

Officers also carried out 68 stops of people and vehicles and more than 500 wraps of Class A drugs seized.

Additionally officers seized 81 phones linked to County Line drug dealing.

Officers also visited 59 addresses known for “cuckooing" taking place. Cuckooing is where organised criminal gangs target the address of a vulnerable adult, taking over the property that the adult is living in and forcing them to sell drugs out of their home.

Senior investigating officer for the Drugs Focus Task Force, Detective Inspector Simon Hannam, who supported the coordinated the week of activity in Thames Valley Police, said: “This has been a hugely successful week for Thames Valley Police working with the National Crime Agency to tackle County Lines drug dealing.

“But the week of action is just part of the ongoing effort to tackle organised crime and crime linked to County Lines drug dealing.

“We know the very harmful effects it has on our communities including to young people and vulnerable adults.

“Nationally we know children as young as six are being groomed into the world of drugs. They are forced to move drugs, sometimes inside their own bodies, and face violence, intimidation and sexual assault. These are the true costs of child exploitation by organised crime network.

“As part of our True Costs campaign, we will continue to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation and the true cost of exploitation of children.

“There is further information on how to spot the signs that a child is being exploited and where to get help for them on the Children’s Society webpages as part of its Look Closer campaign. 

“Our Drugs Focus Taskforce, continues its work to disrupt County Lines and local drug lines, working closely with local policing areas across the Thames Valley.

“We will relentlessly pursue those who are involved in this criminality and exploit others."