Two arrested as part of County Lines operation in Warwickshire and the West Midlands

Officers from the force's Project Medusa team have, today (Friday, 11 February), alongside Warwickshire and West Midlands forces, carried out warrants in Leamington Spa and Coventry, and made two arrests, following an investigation into human trafficking and County Lines drugs supply.

This was part of the ongoing Project Medusa, a Merseyside-led initiative set up to tackle County Lines drug dealing and child criminal exploitation.

Following the warrants, a 19-year-old man from Coventry, West Midlands was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, offer to supply Class A and B drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs

A second man, aged 54 from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking.

They have been taken into custody and will be questioned by police.

Detective Inspector Gary Stratton said: "Project Medusa is committed to cutting County Lines and this type of activity will continue day in day out to take those criminals, who endanger and exploit young and vulnerable people, off our streets.

"County Lines drug dealing not only affects the lives of the drug users, but also the communities in which they operate and the young and vulnerable people who are exploited by these criminals.

"We hope today's arrests and warrants send a message out to others involved in this type of criminality that we will take action and you will be arrested and put before the courts."

Detective Inspector Rich Brown from the Warwickshire Police Specialist Crime Operations said: “County lines gangs groom and exploit vulnerable people in our communities in order to sell drugs.

“These gangs are not welcome in Warwickshire and we will continue to work with other forces across the country to safeguard vulnerable people and bring offenders to justice.”

If you have concerns about drug dealing in your area you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, call Merseyside Police on 101 or DM @MerpolCC. Always contact 999 if a crime is in progress.

Spotting the signs of someone involved in County Lines can be tricky – if you are worried about someone, visit www.eyes-open.co.uk for more information.