Five arrested in connection with County Lines drug dealing in Cheshire

Officers from the force's Project Medusa team have today (Wednesday 26 January) carried out warrants in Northwich, Cheshire and made a total of five arrests, following an investigation into County Lines drug dealing. 

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

The warrants were executed in a joint operation with Cheshire Police at a properties on Station Road and Austin Street, Northwich. 

Following the warrants, two men, aged 28 and 34, and two women aged, 31 and 34, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. 

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

In a separate incident, officers also arrested a 19-year-old male from Liverpool on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs in the Northwich area, after he was stopped on Tarbock Road, Huyton. He has also been taken into custody for questioning. 

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 control these lines, 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."

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.