County lines drug trafficking

County Lines ad campaign 2019 Essex Police Southend Borough Council

County lines drug trafficking refers to a specific form of criminal activity in the United Kingdom where illegal drugs are transported from larger cities into smaller towns and rural areas, using dedicated mobile phone lines or "county lines". This model involves the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, including children and those with mental health issues, to move and sell the substances. The term "county lines" derives from the practice of establishing a single telephone line for the purpose of taking orders for drugs, effectively extending the drug market from urban centers to more remote areas.

Overview

The county lines model is characterized by its use of a centralized phone number which customers in different areas can contact to purchase drugs. This approach allows drug dealing gangs to expand their operations beyond their immediate geographical area without the need for the gang members to be physically present in the locations where the drugs are sold. The gangs involved exploit vulnerable individuals, including children, to carry and distribute the drugs. These individuals are often coerced into this work through debt bondage, threats of violence, or manipulation.

Operation

The operation of a county line typically involves several key steps. First, a drug dealing gang establishes a market in a new area. They then recruit carriers, often through coercion or manipulation, to transport drugs from urban centers to the target locations. These carriers, sometimes referred to as "mules", are frequently children or teenagers, chosen for their perceived lower risk of detection by law enforcement. The drugs are then distributed to local dealers or directly to users in the target area, with orders often coordinated through the dedicated phone line.

Exploitation and Impact

The exploitation of vulnerable individuals is a central aspect of the county lines drug trafficking model. Children and young people are particularly at risk, with gangs employing various methods to groom and manipulate them into participating in drug trafficking. This not only exposes them to significant legal and physical risks but also has profound psychological impacts.

The spread of county lines has also been associated with an increase in violence and crime in the areas targeted by these operations, including knife crime and homicide. The competition between different drug dealing gangs can lead to turf wars, further endangering the communities caught in the middle.

Law Enforcement Response

The response to county lines drug trafficking by law enforcement agencies has evolved over time, with an increasing emphasis on safeguarding the exploited individuals and disrupting the operations of the gangs. This includes the use of modern slavery legislation to prosecute those responsible for the exploitation of carriers. Police forces across the country have also been working to increase awareness of the issue among the public and within vulnerable communities.

Conclusion

County lines drug trafficking represents a significant challenge to law enforcement and communities across the United Kingdom. Its model, characterized by the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and the extension of drug markets into new areas, poses complex social and legal issues. Efforts to combat this form of trafficking continue to evolve, with a focus on both disrupting the operations of the gangs involved and protecting those who are exploited by them.