ARRESTS has been made in Bridgwater as part of an operation targeting traffickers who recruit children and vulnerable adults to supply drugs across the county.

Officers found a resident in the town had been cuckooed, a police term where a property is taken over and exploited by criminals for personal gain.

Two people were arrested at the address on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A substances (heroin and crack cocaine) with drugs, paraphernalia and a mobile phone being seized from the property.

Avon and Somerset Police joined colleagues across the country taking part in County Lines Intensification Week, targeting drug traffickers and ‘county lines’ dealing, where drugs are transported from one area to another. The ‘county line’ is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs.

Police arrested a total of 17 people in Bridgwater, North Somerset and Bristol areas who are all suspected to be linked to ‘county line’ dealing.

Avon and Somerset Police worked with colleagues in Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) to tackle criminals who bring drugs misery into the South West.

As well as carrying out warrants, investigations and patrols, officers visited addresses where residents are deemed to be at risk of cuckooing. Cuckooing is a form of criminal exploitation where vulnerable people are conned, coerced, controlled, or intimidated into sharing, providing, or offering up their accommodation to criminals (often drug dealers), who then use it as a base for their criminal activity

A 36-year-old man from North Somerset was arrested and charged with possession with intent to supply Class A (cocaine) and Class B (cannabis). He is currently remanded in custody, awaiting trial.

Assistant Chief Constable Jon Cummins said: “At the heart of everything we do are the victims. We work continuously through engagement, education and training to prevent children, young people and vulnerable adults from being drawn into the county lines model.

“Where they are, we work to protect them from harm while relentlessly pursuing the criminals who exploit them, now sometimes through victimless prosecutions – which rely on evidence gathered rather than the testimony of those involved – to charge individuals with their crimes.

“County Lines drug dealing is widely linked to exploitation of children, young people and vulnerable adults, as well as increased levels of anti-social behaviour, violence and weapons-related crimes in our communities.

“We tackle drugs-related criminality every day of the year. Intensification weeks provide the opportunity to focus on partnership working with policing colleagues in our local area, across the wider region and throughout the country, sharing intelligence to disrupt and take down county lines.

“We are working to target the line holders, shut down the lines and arrest those who have been profiteering for drugs offences and, where appropriate, modern slavery offences. We are dedicated to bringing those responsible for violence and exploitation to justice.”

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Always call 999 if someone is in immediate danger or a crime is in progress.