Arrests made and cash and drugs seized in County Lines Intensification Week in Andover

Officers arrested four people, seized more than £2,800 in cash and disrupted various drugs lines during County Lines Intensification Week in Andover.

The week of intensification, which ran from Monday 4 March until Sunday 10 March, saw officers focus their efforts on County Lines.

County Lines is a term used to describe organised criminal networks who move illegal drugs out of larger cities into towns and smaller cities in the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines.

They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money, and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons.

During the intensification week, Test Valley officers executed warrants, made arrests and carried out proactive patrols and stop checks.

Four people were arrested, a total of £2,865 in cash was seized and Class A drugs were taken off the streets.

As well as making arrests, officers safeguarded a number of vulnerable men and women following various visits in the district.

Officers also visited a school to engage with students and to provide an educational talk on drug-related harm.

On Monday 4 March, officers carried out a warrant at an address in Bridge Street, Andover.

Officers found a small amount of cocaine and cannabis, and arrested a woman.

Roxanne Amor, 39, of Bridge Street, Andover, was charged with possession of a controlled drug of Class A and B and is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Thursday 18 April.

At around 7pm on the same day, officers stopped a car in Pilgrims Way, Andover.

Inside, they found suspected Class A drugs as well as a large amount of cash.

A 21-year-old man from Wiltshire was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. He has been released on police bail until Tuesday 4 June, pending further enquiries.

On Wednesday 6 March, officer executed a warrant at a flat in Woodlands Way, Andover.

A 35-year-old man was arrested on being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug and possession of a controlled drug of Class A. He has been released from custody but remains under investigation.

On Thursday 7 March, officers on patrol near Northern Avenue, Andover, noticed a man on a push bike acting suspiciously.

A 33-year-old man from Longparish was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A. He has since been released on police bail until Friday 7 June, pending further enquiries.

Sergeant Stu Harris, from Test Valley’s Priority Crime Team, said: “We are committed to doing everything we can to disrupt County Lines drug dealing and prevent the exploitation of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“This week has been a success, with the arrests made and drugs seized, but we won’t stop there - will continue to look to bring offenders to justice.

“I would ask people to keep telling us of any suspected drug supply activity. We may not being to respond immediately, but every new bit of information means we can better allocate resources and act accordingly.”

To make a report, you can contact us on 101 or make a report via our website at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/.

If you don’t want to report to the police directly, you can report to the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

For 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