More than 60 people have been arrested as part of a clampdown on county lines gangs across Yorkshire.
West Yorkshire Police say the operation was part of their work to dismantle county lines drugs gangs in Keighley and across the county border in Skipton. During the last four weeks, 61 warrants were executed, with 55 of these in Keighley and six in Skipton, in relation to the supply of Class A drugs following an 18 month-long investigation.
A total of 62 people were arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences. A total of 31 of these have been charged. Detective Chief Inspector Tom Levitt, said: “This has been a significant proactive operation tackling drugs and organised crime in Keighley.
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“Through working with our partners throughout this operation we have managed to dismantle more than 20 County Lines from Keighley to Skipton.
“I would like to thank the YHROCU for their invaluable assistance in this operation along with the National Coordination centre for County Lines and North Yorkshire Police.
“Bradford’s Precision team have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months, and these arrests and charges are the culmination of their hard work.
(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
“We know the devastation that drugs can have on the community, and I hope this provides reassurance that we are taking this issue seriously with the number of people arrested and charged.”
More than £100,000 in cash was also seized alongside three kilograms of cannabis, crack cocaine and heroin. Weapons were also seized, including batons, knuckle dusters, two swords, a machete and a crossbow.
The operation was led by Bradford’s Precision Team, in co-operation with the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, (YHROCU) West Yorkshire Police’s Specialist Support Group, North Yorkshire Police, and the local Keighley Neighbourhood Policing team.
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Detective Chief Inspector Fionna McEwan of North Yorkshire Police said: “We began working on this extensive joint operation more than a year ago, resulting in six warrants and seven arrests on suspicion of class-A drug offences in North Yorkshire alone. It has also led to the seizure of a significant quantity of substances from addresses in the Craven area of our county.
“Being a rural county, North Yorkshire is susceptible to County Lines drug supply networks from neighbouring areas. But by working closely with West Yorkshire Police and other forces, we can address the issue proactively and in a way that makes a real difference to our communities.
“We have highly-skilled officers who‘ve worked tirelessly on this and other operations, and we are working closely with residents to listen to their concerns and make their community safer. I would urge residents to share any information about drugs in their community with us on our website or by calling 101. We can and do use this information to make a difference.”
(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
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