Three arrests following county lines patrols in Tranmere

Three people have been arrested and suspected Class A drugs have been seized this week, as part of ongoing work to tackle county lines drug dealing.

The force’s county lines taskforce, as part of Project Medusa, arrested a 61-year-old man, and two 16-year-old boys while on patrol in Tranmere, Wirral on Wednesday 17 January.

Plain clothed officers sighted a suspected drug deal between a group of males in a Vauxhall Corsa and a male on foot. Following a stop search, officers seized wraps of suspected heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis.

All three were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine) and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (cannabis). The 61-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person for exploitation under Section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act. They have been interviewed and released under investigation.

Inspector Stephen Morris said: “These arrests are part of the proactive work we are carrying out to ensure we tackle county lines drug dealing in our communities.

“County Lines are run by organised criminals, who use young and vulnerable people to move, store and sell their drugs. These crime groups are happy to reap any rewards for this criminality, leaving all the risk to the young and vulnerable people they use.

“If you have any concerns about drug dealing in your community, please come forward, either directly or anonymously and we will take action to make our streets safer.”

Project Medusa, funded by the Home Office, is a Merseyside initiative to tackle county lines drug dealing and the criminal exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults.

Since 2019, Merseyside’s Project Medusa officers – who are recognised nationally as a leading force in tackling county lines – have closed more than 1,100 county lines; arrested more than 2,400 people for offences including drug supply, firearms and money laundering; and identified 1,250 children and vulnerable adults who have been referred to safeguarding services.

Anyone with concerns about drug dealing in their area 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.