Police seize gold bars, teeth and guns in ‘unusual’ drug gang crackdown
Police seized firearms as well as an “unusual” hoard of items including a gold bar, a gold bag and even gold teeth during a week-long crackdown on drug gangs.
The operation resulted in the arrest of more than 2,000 people; Approximately 10 percent of those detained were children, some as young as 14.
Officers also shut down 335 “drug hotlines” in towns and cities suspected of supplying heroin, cocaine and spice-laced e-cigarettes, the National Police Chiefs’ Council reported.
These county lines gangs exploit vulnerable adults and children by using dedicated phone lines to transport and sell drugs.
Commander Paul Brogden, leader of the national county units and gangs, noted the “rare nature” of some of the items seized, including gold bars.
He told the Press Association at Scotland Yard in London on Thursday: “We have had an unusual seizure, we have seized a gold bar.
“I think that might be indicative of the criminal lifestyle that some drug dealers want to lead, sort of bragging rights and things like that.”
Kent Police said a search of an address in Maidstone on March 2 led to the seizure of a small pure gold bar, as well as a large amount of cash and cannabis hidden in “iced apple” bags.
Mr Brogden said social media was increasingly being used to lure children into the drug trade with offers of trainers and football jerseys.
The official explained that Snapchat, the “most widespread” platform, targets young people with unofficial posts offering money-making opportunities, “almost like a job application.”
“This is a crime and one of the most dangerous crimes in terms of abusing children.
“It’s a really dangerous environment for children to be involved in, but these criminals are trying to control them by force.”
The officer said those involved in drug gangs were “mostly violent men” and about half of the dealers were “in some way involved in violence against women and girls”.
Mr Brogden said county lines operations were becoming “more local” and moving from cities to more rural areas.
He added: “We’re seeing things like ketamine and edible cannabis starting to become more prominent.”
The NPCC said that during last week’s operation, police seized more than £1.5 million in cash and around 200kg of Class A substances, crack, heroin and cocaine, as well as more than 10,500 wraps of Class A drugs and around 15,000 cannabis plants.
Officers seized approximately 400 bladed weapons such as knives, machetes, axes and swords, 115 other weapons such as brass knuckles and crossbows, and 121 firearms and ammunition.
Mr Brogden said the “unusual” number of guns were mostly converted firearms.
The NPCC said around 1,200 phones were seized, as well as dozens of vehicles and designer watches, £73,000 worth of designer clothing, as well as computer equipment, e-cigarettes, hookahs and counterfeit tobacco.
Additionally, 23 dangerous dogs were seized.
Mr Brogden described it as the “best ever” operation of its kind.
