Thames Valley Police arrest 100 people for drug dealing

The raids were to target ‘County Lines’ as part of their Stronghold campaign, which involved seizing 1,435 wraps of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin.

They also recovered £65,983 in cash and found 17 weapons along with 118 mobile phones and carried out 166 stop and searches as well as 35 vehicle stop checks.

Altogether, officers identified 19 vulnerable people and worked with partners across the three counties to safeguard them and attended 100 addresses where ‘cuckooing’ has previously taken place.

Cuckooing is where drug dealer entices a vulnerable person – who is usually lonely, isolated or a drug user - into allowing their home to be used for drug dealing by giving them free drugs or offering to pay for food or utilities.

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard List, said: “This intensification week is good evidence of this robust commitment to protect the public and bring offenders to justice.

“We will be relentless in our pursuit of those who are involved in this activity and who regularly use violence and intimidation to target young and vulnerable people in our communities.”

As part of the Stronghold campaign, officers have been going to schools, taxi firms, landlords and hotels to advise them on how to spot the signs of County Lines drugs.