Six people have been arrested as part of a multi-force operation to tackle county lines drug dealing.
Officers from Lancashire Police and Merseyside Police joined forces this week as part of a major operation targeting County Lines gangs bringing drugs into Blackpool.
On Wednesday (July 6) police took part in Operation Medusa, aimed at disrupting the supply of drugs by organised criminal groups.
Bryn Shaw, 25, of Royal Avenue, Blackpool, was arrested and later charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – Heroin and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A - crack cocaine.
Four men aged 19, 29, 42 and 55, as well as a 48-year-old woman from Blackpool, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply –class A. They have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
The operation followed intelligence suggesting drugs gangs from Liverpool were expanding their operations into the resort, using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs – also known as County Lines.
Ch Supt Karen Edwards said: “Coercion, threats and serious violence – everyday people, including children and teenagers, are being targeted by organised crime groups wanting to exploit the most vulnerable in our communities.
“County Lines is an increasingly significant threat, both nationally and locally within Lancashire. I will do everything in my power to tackle, disrupt and dismantle the groups who want to bring Class A drugs into the towns and streets where we live.
“Children and adults are being used by dealers to supply controlled drugs in our communities. This must stop.”
County lines gangs and organised criminal networks will use children, and vulnerable people, to move drugs and money, criminally exploiting them.
During the operation, significant drugs seizures were made and a number of stop checks completed across the resort.
