Seventeen people have been arrested and six charged following a week of intensified action into suspected County Lines drug dealing and the exploitation of children into organised crime in the Humber region.
Humberside Police’s Kinetic Intervention Team, along with the force’s neighbourhood and patrol units, targeted those “causing significant harm to communities through their illegal activities”. They carried out numerous warrants between June 23 and 30 as well as checking on vulnerable people who are at increased risk of ‘cuckooing’. This is when someone’s home is taken over and used for criminal activity.
During the week, police also seized around £52,800 worth of class A drugs, more than £6,890 in cash, and two watches thought to have been bought with money made through organised crime. Three bladed weapons were also taken off the streets.
Seventeen individuals suspected of being involved in County Lines drug dealing and the exploitation of children into organised crime were arrested during the national week of intensification.
Six were charged in connection with the possession and supply of drugs and 11 were released as police continue their enquiries.
Those charged were:
- Matthew Garner, 43-years-old, of Irene Grove, Hull, was charged with possession with intent to supply a class A drug, possession of a class A drug, possession of a class B drug, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, driving whilst disqualified and possession of criminal property. He appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court and was remanded into custody to appear at court at a later date.
- John Garner, 44-years-old, of Great Thornton Street, Hull, was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a class A drug, possession with intent to supply a class B drug, possession of a class B drug, and possession of criminal property. He appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court and was remanded into custody to appear at court at a later date.
- Xhevat Kadriu, 30-years-old, of no fixed abode, was charged with possession with intent to supply a class B drug, possession of a class A drug, possession of criminal property, driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a license and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance. He appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court and was released on conditional bail to appear at court at a later date.
- Asher Buckingham, 20-years-old, of Queensgate Street, Hull, was charged with being concerned in the supply of a class B drug and possession of a class B drug. He appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court and was remanded into custody to appear at court at a later date.
- Alan Mamrot, 21-years-old, of County Road South, Hull, was charged with possession of criminal property, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a license, and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance. He appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court and was released on conditional bail to appear at court at a later date.
- Jayden Capes, 22-years-old, of David Street, Grimsby, was charged with possession of a controlled class A drug. He appeared at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court and was released on bail to appear at court at a later date.
Leading the operation, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Swaby, said: “We target organised crime daily, but weeks like this allow us to intensify our disruption and can have a large impact in a shorter space of time.
“We linked up with counterparts in North Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police in a combined operation to tackle organised criminality which is bringing drugs into our area through County Lines operations.
“It’s really important that we take people involved in drug dealing off our streets. At the core of County Lines drugs operations are exploited children and vulnerable adults that need help to break the chain and be set free from exploitation.
“It’s also imperative that we take dangerous drugs out of our communities, not only because they are illegal, but because drug dealing is often accompanied by violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
“I would like to once again thank the public for their support, as without information from our communities we couldn’t have the impact we do.
“Investigations relating to organised crime can be lengthy and complex and enforcement may not be taken immediately, but I would like to reassure you that everything we receive helps us to build a bigger picture and ultimately bring people to justice.
“We continue to take all reports of child criminal exploitation and drug activity seriously and would encourage anyone with any information that could assist us to call our 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymous service on 0800 555 111.”