British Transport Police (BTP) County Lines Task Force have led a joint operation today (18 July) tackling the supply of illegal drugs and human trafficking of children through County Lines in the Reading area.
Officers from BTP, Thames Valley Police and the Met executed a number of arrest warrants at multiple addresses in the Reading area of Berkshire, and additional warrants at an address in Milton Keynes and in Camberley, Surrey.
Earlier this morning eight arrests were made for drug supply and human trafficking offences. Officers made several seizures of drugs including a substantial quantity of Class A and Class B drugs, cash and also the successful recovery of phones linked to County Lines drug supply.
These warrants are part of an extensive investigation that started after three teenagers were located at London Paddington in February of this year, and concerns were raised that they were being exploited by a County Lines drug network.
Detective Inspector Matt Davies from the BTP County Lines Task Force said
“We are pleased with the excellent results of this operation and it is a credit to our team, the arrests we have secured. Working alongside our colleagues from other forces enhances our capabilities to catch those orchestrating these County Lines.
“The County Lines Task Force works hard to tackle drugs on the railway network and to protect children and vulnerable adults who are often exploited by gangs into selling or moving drugs. It should display a very powerful message to those involved in this sort of activity – we will find you, you will be arrested and we will disrupt the distribution of drugs by County Lines dealers.”
