Three arrested in Devon county lines operation

The arrests followed months of intelligence gathering tracking a suspected county lines operation

Three people in Devon have been arrested in connection with suspected class A drug supply, human trafficking and child exploitation.

Devon and Cornwall Police carried out the work with Avon and Somerset Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

An 18-year-old man from Exeter and two boys aged 16 and 17 from Torquay were arrested.

Drugs, cash and weapons were seized from properties during the operation.

Elsewhere, a 21-year-old man from Surrey was also arrested on suspicion of being in possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

A further man was arrested in London with support from the Metropolitan Police's Op Orochi team.

Police in Merseyside also contributed to the operation.

Exploiting children

Officers said the move followed months of intelligence gathering - tracking a suspected county lines operation.

It is believed the operation was importing crack cocaine and heroin into the area and exploiting children to move drugs around the region.

Drugs, cash and weapons were seized from properties during the operation

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said it was "continuing to send a clear message to criminals intent on illegal drug supply that there is no place for them in our area or in the South West".

Det Sgt Stuart Hassell said: "The operation is the culmination of many months of intensive work by our team, involving partnership working with our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall, SWROCU, the Metropolitan Police and Merseyside Police.

"The operation has been an outstanding example of cross-border and inter-agency working."