A COUNTY lines drugs operation was carried out last week as part of its nationwide Stronghold campaign to tackle serious and organised crimes.

On January 22, Thames Valley Police invited Bracknell News to a warrant on London Road, Wokingham to gain insight into how the force deals with these types of crimes.

A team of police officers and a dog handler entered the property; carrying out an in depth search but no paraphernalia or drugs were discovered and no arrests were made.

The property was discovered to be part of 'Cuckooing' where organised crime groups target an address of a vulnerable adult, taking over the property that the adult is living in and forcing them to sell drugs out of their own home.

Overall, 106 arrests were made by the police, 133,000 pounds of cash was seized and over 100 people are being safeguarded included 43 children with County Lines drug dealing.

County Lines is where organised criminal groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs from large cities into smaller more rural areas.

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard List, said: "This has been a hugely successful week for Thames Valley Police working with the National Crime Agency to tackle County Lines drug dealing. "Thames Valley Police sees tackling OCGs and county lines as an absolute priority and through our Stronghold campaign we are determined to continue to work closely with our partners including Local Authorities, schools, health professionals and charities to safeguard children and vulnerable adults."

In the UK, organised crime is estimated to cost the economy over 37 billion pounds a year and has a significant impact on communities in the Thames Valley.

Throughout its campaign, 106 arrests were made, 27 warrants were executed, 156 stop searches were carried out, and officers took over 2,800 wraps of cocaine, heroin and cannabis off the streets in the Thames Valley.

As well as this, officers seized over 133,000 pounds of cash and weapons such as machetes, flick knives and 147 phones linked to County Line drug dealing.

Police attended 115 addresses known to be cuckooing.

Chief Superintendent Richard added: "It is important for us all to be familiar with the signs that someone might be the victim of drugs exploitation as only with the public's help we can stop this.

"If you think someone shows signs of mistreatment, or a child seems to be travelling long distances or is unfamiliar with the area they are in, then you can report your suspicion to Thames Valley Police on 101 or via our website.