Three arrested in Merseyside raids targeting county lines

Merseyside Police said the three people were held on suspicion of drug and weapons offences

Three people have been arrested in raids which police said were aimed at stopping county lines drug-dealing.

Merseyside Police said two men, aged 20 and 29, and a 26-year-old woman were held after officers executed warrants in Halewood, Knowsley and Bootle.

They were arrested on suspicion of growing cannabis, possessing an offensive weapon, supplying drugs and possession of a stun gun.

A number of cannabis plants were also seized.

County lines is a term used for organised illegal drug-dealing networks, usually controlled by a person using a single telephone number, according to Crimestoppers.

The charity said the operations see organised crime groups based in large conurbations recruit vulnerable children and adults, often in rural and suburban areas, as "runners" to transport drugs and cash all over the country.

Det Insp Gary Stratton said Merseyside Police was working to close county lines "on a daily basis".

A force representative said its project targeting the operations has seen 1,101 county lines closed and 2,421 arrests since 2019.

They added that the project had also identified 1,256 vulnerable adults and children, who have been referred to safeguarding services.

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