Three arrests following County Lines warrants in Merseyside

Yesterday (Monday 11 December), officers from Operation Toxic made three arrests following warrants in Halewood, Knowsley and Bootle, Sefton.

The two warrants were conducted in relation to an investigation into suspected County Lines operations. 

A 29-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and possession of an offensive weapon, following a warrant in Halewood. A quantity of cannabis plants were also seized.

Following a warrant in Bootle, a 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of a firearm. Officers discovered and seized a taser during the search. 

They have been taken to a police station in Merseyside and remain in custody.

Operation Toxic is part of Project Medusa – a Merseyside-led initiative set up to tackle County Lines drug dealing and child criminal exploitation across the country.

Detective Inspector Gary Stratton said: “This warrant was conducted as part of Project Medusa, which is Merseyside’s dedicated response to tackling County Lines drug dealing and enhance the safety of our communities.

“Our work to close County Lines and bring offenders to justice continues on a daily basis and I would ask anyone who has information about this kind of activity to come forward so action can be taken.”

Since 2019, Project Medusa officers have closed 1,101 county lines; arrested 2,421 people for various offences including drug supply, firearms offences and money laundering; and identified 1,256 vulnerable adults and children who have been referred to safeguarding services.

Anyone who has any information about County Lines drug dealing in their area or anyone who is concerned about someone who may be being exploited by these gangs, can contact @CrimestoppersUK completely anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact 101. In an emergency always contact 999.