At least 18 people arrested and drugs seized in Southampton as part of county lines drug dealing crackdown

At least 18 people have been arrested and a large quantity of drugs have been seized in Southampton as part of a week of action tackling county lines drug dealing networks.

From Monday, October 3 to Sunday, October 9, officers from various teams in Southampton worked together to apprehend those involved in the supply of drugs in the city as part of the County Lines Intensification Week of action co-ordinated nationally.

As well as making arrests, several warrants and proactive patrols were carried out, at least £7,000 in cash was seized, four adults being at risk of exploitation by drug dealers were safeguarded and a knuckle duster will be destroyed.

Inspector Hayley O’Grady, from Southampton’s High Harm Team, said: “This was one of our most successful weeks of action in Southampton to disrupt county lines drug dealers, who come from elsewhere in the country to set up their own franchises in the city.

“I hope this sends a clear message to them: you are not welcome here.

“This week of action is on top of the work we do all year round to root out drug gangs in the city and is made possible by the reports we get from our residents.

“Please continue to tell us about drug dealing in your neighbourhood so we can take action and bring offenders to justice.”

Notable incidents include:

• On 7 October, officers attended a flat in Kent Street following reports a man had been assaulted at the address and made two arrests in the nearby area. Terail Buchanan-McDonald, 20, of King Georges Avenue, Watford, was charged with being concerned with the supply of heroin and cocaine and assault by beating. At Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 10 October he pleaded guilty to all charges and has been remanded for sentencing at Southampton Crown Court on 31 October. (44SC0684022)

Ke-Juan Barrow, 19, of Golden Grove, Southampton, was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, heroin, possession of a Class A drug – heroin, theft of a mobile phone and assault by beating. At Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 10 October, he was bailed with conditions to appear at Southampton Crown Court on 11 November. (44SC0684022)

• At 12.15pm on 3 October, officers stopped a vehicle in Winchester Road, Southampton and searched the occupants of the car.

Kareem Francis, 26, of Purbrook Close, Southampton, was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs – cocaine and heroin. He appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 4 October where he was remanded to appear at Southampton Crown Court on 4 November. (44SC0673422)

A 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old woman from Trinidad and Tobago were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and were bailed with conditions not to leave the country while enquiries continue. (44220401828)

• A warrant was executed at an address in Broadlands Road, Southampton on 5 October and a mobile phone, some scales and £4,310 in cash was seized. Vishaal Hussain, 26, of Broadlands Road, Southampton, was charged with possession of criminal property and being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. He appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 6 October and was remanded to appear at Southampton Crown Court on 4 November (44SC0676822)

• A warrant was carried out at an address in Millbrook Road East on 5 October at 7am and four bundles of unknown substances were found in a kitchen drawer and seized. A 23-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, both from Southampton, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and were released under investigation while enquiries continue. (44220404489)

• On 5 October, officers attended an address in Anson Drive due to concerns about the welfare of the occupant. Following a search, a large wrap containing an unknown substance was found in the toilet. This was seized along with several other items including £500 in cash. A 22-year-old from London was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug and was bailed with conditions while enquiries continue. A 43-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman, both from Southampton, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He was released under investigation while enquiries continue and she was released with no further action to be taken. (44220405425)

• On 6 October, officers attended an address in Argyle Road, Southampton, and a large quantity of cannabis was found. This was seized along with around £2,500 in cash and six mobile phones. A 27-year-old Southampton man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class B drug. (44220406884)

• On 6 October, on Avenue Road, Southampton, officers arrested a 31-year-old Southampton man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and possession of criminal property. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue. A mobile phone, £505 cash and wraps of an unknown substance were located in his pocket and have been seized. (44220406495)

Report information to us via 101, our website or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For more information on spotting the signs of exploitation please visit The Children Society’s website https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/child-criminal-exploitation-and-county-lines/spotting-signs

Missing People SafeCall provides a confidential service to individuals who may make contact anonymously. This means that any individual who is unwilling or unable to speak to police or professionals can still be provided with specialist advice and guidance concerning County Lines and exploitation. National Helpline that operates 7 days a week 9am to 11pm – call or Text 116000.

There is also Home Office funding for support to victims of County Lines over the next three years, as part of the government’s Drugs Strategy. This funding will help to provide much needed mental health support and counselling to the young people and their families, to help deal with the trauma of their experiences.