'Intensification week' leads to seizure of drugs, cash and a handgun
Picture: Met Police
A man from Chiswick is one of six people charged by Surrey Police following an operation against county lines drug dealing.
25-year-old Akeem Bellamy of Church Path, Chiswick, was arrested for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He was remanded to appear before Guildford Magistrates Court on Friday 21 May.
The arrest was part of an ‘intensification week’ against county lines operations between Monday 17 May and Sunday 23 May, and included the execution of warrants, joint operations between forces and intercepting vehicles potentially involved in county lines activity. In all eleven people were arrested including three minors.
A large quantity of drugs were seized, including more than 35 wraps of heroin and more than 200 wraps of crack cocaine as well as a converted handgun and four knives. In addition police took possession of 26 mobile phones, 45 pairs of high value trainers and £3,000 cash. Surrey Police believe that 89 young people and vulnerable adults were identified as being at risk and safeguarded by the operation.
County lines is the means of transporting illegal drugs from major cities into other areas, often rural and coastal. Children and vulnerable adults are often used to transport them, often at great risk to their own safety. The ‘county line’ name comes from the mobile phone line used to take the drugs orders.
Detective Superintendent Mark Chapman, Surrey Police lead on drug-related harm and county lines said, “County lines has a profound impact on the communities it touches. It is often associated with violence and antisocial behaviour in the areas drugs are transported into, and we hope our work this week shows that this will not be tolerated in Surrey.
“Our aim is to make Surrey a hostile environment for those who seek to exploit the young and the vulnerable in order to bring illegal drugs into our county. Our activities this week are just some of what goes on behind the scenes every day to help keep Surrey safe. With your help, we can do even more.
“If you have any information regarding drug dealing or violent crime in your area, or you are worried that someone is being exploited, we need you to tell us. If you’d rather not speak to police, please reach out to independent charities such as Crimestoppers or Fearless instead.”
Detective Inspector Lee Newman, County Lines regional co-ordinator for the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said, “We’ve provided support to forces with a range of specialist skills and co-ordinated activity to ensure we work together to identify and disrupt serious offenders causing the most harm in our communities.
“County Lines drug dealing has a significant impact upon communities and involves the exploitation of some of the most vulnerable people in society, including children.
“We’re committed to further developing our understanding of the methods used by organised criminals responsible for County Lines criminality to ensure we can continue to target them, while working closely with our partners to support victims.”
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May 29, 2021
