Ten arrests and weapons seized on railway network in County Lines drugs trafficking operation
Ten people were arrested and four weapons were seized during a crackdown by police.
British Transport Police said they took the action as part of an operation tackling so-called county lines offences, with officers from West Mercia Police involved in the arrests.
It has not yet been made clear what link there is to the region.
Undercover and uniformed officers focussed on pursuing offenders from drugs networks that exploit children and vulnerable people.
Working closely with other police forces and the National Crime Agency, officers identified and arrested gang members as they travelled on the rail network to drugs markets in towns outside of London.
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The arrests were made at Clapham Junction, Peterborough and Waterloo stations.
There were 28 seizures of drugs including heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis.
Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Furnell said: “We know that that criminal networks are exploiting young children and vulnerable adults by coercion, the threat of violence and sexual exploitation, as a means to control people into trafficking drugs.
“The harm that county lines gangs inflict is significant, which is why we are focussing our resources to spot these offenders and tackle them as they use the national rail network.
“Disrupting this toxic gang activity also helps us develop detailed intelligence of offending, but also ensures that vulnerable people are safeguarded from harm.
“Working with our policing and rail partners to tackle all exploitation and county lines activity is a priority for us. We are sharing intelligence, delivering joint operations and we are determined to safeguard vulnerable people targeted by these criminals.
“Of course, the public can also play a vital role in helping us safeguard vulnerable individuals who are caught up in this activity. If you see someone travelling who is showing signs of mistreatment, or a child who is travelling long distances by themselves, or is unfamiliar with where they are, please text us on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40.”
Other forces included the Met, Northampton, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Hampshire, Lancashire, Norfolk, Surrey and Kent police.
