Police clamp down on 'county lines' drug networks exploiting vulnerable young Scots

Police have clamped down on ‘county lines’ drug dealing networks to protect vulnerable young Scots as part of a nationwide operation.

The initiative, which ran from November 25 to December 1, aimed to combat the exploitation of young and vulnerable people by criminals involved in trafficking drugs from major cities into smaller communities across the UK.

County lines drug dealers operate by coercing at-risk people in rural areas and smaller towns to sell drugs, carry weapons, and even take over their homes in a practice known as “cuckooing.”

During the UK-wide initiative – co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) – officers in Scotland safeguarded 66 vulnerable people and engaged with a further 3,210. They visited 79 addresses – 25 were believed to be used by drug dealers as a cuckooing house.

Illegal drugs, cash and offensive weapons were also recovered.

Assistant chief constable Andy Freeburn said: “We work tirelessly with our partners, including Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, to target those who exploit vulnerable people and force them to commit crimes.”

Since June 2024, officers in the north east targeted six groups involved in County Lines drugs and organised crime in Aberdeen.

Evidence gathered showed Class A drugs, including crack cocaine and diamorphine, being moved between London, Liverpool, Hertfordshire to addresses in Aberdeen.

A total of 63 people were arrested in connection with drugs offences as part of the operation. Enforcement action between September and November saw 38 search warrants executed in Aberdeen.

The joint investigation saw warrants being executed in London where officers from Police Scotland’s North East Division and the Metropolitan Police arrested a 34-year-old woman and two men, aged 39 and 68.

Drugs, with an estimated street value of more than £207,000, and a significant sum of cash were seized.

A 31-year-old Glasgow man was also arrested after heroin and cocaine worth more than £50,000 was found in a van during an intelligence-led vehicle stop at a ferry terminal in Lerwick, Shetland.

ACC Freeburn added: “The positive results during the intensification week are an example of our continuing work in support of national initiatives aimed at frustrating and disrupting the activities of those who involved in county lines drugs dealing.

“Organised criminals don’t care about anyone other than themselves and they only care about power and money. They travel to exploit vulnerable people in our communities and their criminality is simply not welcome in Scotland and will not be tolerated.”

Justice secretary Angela Constance said: “I welcome the very positive results achieved by Police Scotland to dismantle county lines operations which are run by ruthless criminals whose only motivation is to make money by cruelly exploiting some of the most vulnerable in society.

“Partners on Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce are fully committed to using all means at their disposal to identify and support those at risk and ensure that those responsible are held to account.”

Throughout the intensification week 81 people – 60 men and 21 women were arrested and 54 evidential search warrants were executed.

More than £180,000 of heroin, £120,000 of crack cocaine and £22,000 of cocaine were seized.

Quantities of cannabis, herbal cannabis and cannabis edibles were also recovered as well as synthetic opioids, ketamine and mixing agents were discovered and more than £60,000 in cash.

Offensive weapons including a machete, an axe, four lock knives, two bottles of corrosive substance and a can of pepper spray were seized. An electric bike, an electric scooter, four vehicles and 87 mobile phones were also seized.

ACC Freeburn added: “Anyone who has concerns about county lines or information about who may be involved in this insidious criminal activity should get in touch with Police Scotland or anonymously to the independent charity.”