By Over £50,000 seized and 49 arrested in Humberside County Lines operation
Forty-nine people suspected of being involved in County Lines drug dealing and the exploitation of children into organised crime were arrested last week as part of a national week of intensification.
Organised crime teams, Op Galaxy, and neighbourhood and patrol units targeted those causing significant harm to communities through their illegal activities.
‘Vulnerable people’ who are at increased risk of ‘cuckooing’ were also checked on.
DCI Simon Vickers said: “We target organised criminals year-round, but weeks like this allow us to intensify that disruption and it can have a larger impact in a shorter space of time.
“We linked up with counterparts in West Yorkshire and Merseyside in a combined operation to tackle organised criminality which is bringing drugs into our area through County Lines operations.
“It is really important that these people are taken off our streets. At the heart of County Lines gangs are exploited and vulnerable adults and children who need to be extricated from those situations and protected from further harm.
“Taking dangerous substances out of our communities and off our streets is also important, not only because they are illegal, but because drug dealing is often linked to other areas of criminality, such as violence and anti-social behaviour.
“I would like to thank the public for their support once again. Without the information our communities provide to us, this week would not have had the impact it did.
“We take all reports of child criminal exploitation and drug activity seriously and would encourage anyone with any information that could assist us to call our non-emergency number 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“Investigations relating to organised crime can be lengthy and complex, and while enforcement may not be taken immediately, I would like to reassure the communities that everything we receive helps us build a bigger and more complete picture. This ultimately allows us to bring criminals to justice.”
During this operation, 8 weapons and approximately £48k of cash was seized.
In addition, £5,000 of cocaine, 250 wraps of crack and heroin, and a large number of pills were also discovered.
Seventeen individuals have been charged with a number of offences, including being concerned in the supply of Class A (heroin and crack) and Class B (cannabis) drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs, possession of criminal property, GBH and robbery. They were remanded into custody to appear in court at later dates.
Twenty-six others were released under investigation while our enquiries continue, one was cautioned and a cannabis warning was issued to another.
Those charged are:
- Justin Horniak (18) of Halton Place, Bradford
- Jordan Ettiene (26) of Hopbine Avenue, Bradford
- Adam Chalmers (20) of Hopbine Avenue, Bradford
- Kalem Wilson (24) of Hopbine Avenue, Bradford
- Dwayne Taylor (29) of New Burlington Road, Bridlington
- Marie Hesletine (30) Carnforth Crescent, Grimsby
- David Nicholls (50) of Soffam Close, Hull
- Alex Jory (26) of Saltwell Park, Hull
- Matthew Murray (34) of White Street, Hull
- Corey Murray (28) of The Greenway, Hull
- Jordan Everett (28) of Berkeley Street, Hull
- Nicholas Tucker (52) of Great Thornton Street, Hull
- Connor Wallace (25) of Cranehurst Road, Liverpool
- Ben Blease (32) of Richmond Park, Liverpool
- Shaun Burke (23) of Elcot Close, Manchester
- Connor Elms (26) of Alworth Road, Manchester
A 17-year-old male who cannot be named for legal reasons has also been charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
