Seven
people have been arrested in a series of early morning raids. Police swooped on
nine properties across Flintshire and
Merseyside this morning in a bid to target a county lines drug ring operating
in north east Wales. The raids took place in Bagillt and the
Kirby and Sefton areas of Merseyside and were the final "strike" of
Operation Blue Elixir.
The
operation has been ongoing for five months and has been led by Flintshire
North's Neighbourhood Policing team.
Police
said that the investigation has been targeting a Merseyside-based organised
crime group which has been transporting crack cocaine and heroin into
Flintshire to "store and sell it through a network of local vulnerable
people who they exploit to take the risk for them".
County
Lines is a term used to describe gangs that supply drugs from large urban areas
to smaller towns across the country using dedicated mobile phone lines or “deal
lines”.
Sgt
Steve Lloyd of the Flintshire North NPT said: “Operation Blue Elixir has
already resulted in the seizure of thousands of pounds worth Class A drugs and
the arrest of four men and recovery of a stolen vehicle in October 2019.
“Today
North Wales Police officers, supported by our colleagues in Merseyside and the
Regional Organised Crime Unit, executed nine search warrants resulting in
seven more arrests, three men in Flintshire and three men and a woman in
Merseyside.
“We
also recovered a quantity of cash, phones and substances believed to be Class A
drugs.
The
suspects, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs,
namely heroin and crack cocaine, are in custody in Llay and will be interviewed
throughout the day. I would like to thank the community for their
information and cooperation throughout this operation.”
Sgt
Gavin Gilmore added: “North Wales Police will continue to
pursue anyone concerned in the supply or sale of illegal drugs. Through
concerted operations such as Blue Elixir we will disrupt and break up
County Lines gangs which cause so much harm in our communities, and help
make Flintshire a safer place.
“We
are also committed to working with agencies which provide help and support
for whose lives are being affected through drug use.”
ENDS:
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