Police executed eight warrants and arrested 12 individuals during County Lines Intensification Week across Hart & Rushmoor and Basingstoke areas between 23-29 June.
The intensive operation targeted County Lines networks – organised criminal groups that transport illegal drugs from major cities to smaller towns using dedicated mobile phone lines. These networks frequently exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store drugs and money, employing coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons.
Throughout the week-long operation, teams conducted proactive warrants, operations, patrols and stop checks across both areas.
Key Operations
Tuesday 24 June – Queens Road, Aldershot
Police executed a warrant seizing £3,500 in cash, 230 bags of cannabis, 24 bags of suspected Class A drugs, 62 nitrous oxide canisters and five mobile phones. Two men, aged 26 and 19, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs. Both have been bailed with conditions pending further enquiries.
Wednesday 25 June – Birchett Road, Farnborough
Three arrests were made at a residential address where officers seized suspected Class A drugs and over £1,000 in cash. A 43-year-old woman and 41-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in Class A drug supply and have been bailed pending enquiries. A third man was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, remanded in custody and is due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on 30 July.
Thursday 26 June – Bishopswood Road, Tadley
Officers executed a warrant discovering a large hatchet-style knife and cannabis, with all items seized. A 29-year-old man received a community resolution for the cannabis possession, with enquiries continuing.
Sunday 29 June – Basingstoke
Two men, aged 42 and 41, were arrested following a proactive stop on suspicion of being concerned in Class A drug supply. Both have been bailed with conditions pending further enquiries.
Police Sergeant Victoria Bolan from the Hart and Rushmoor Priority Crime Team said: “Our officers have been out disrupting County Lines drug dealing in the district. This is a priority for my team, and we do everything we can to prevent the exploitation of children and vulnerable people. We made a number of arrests, disrupted drugs lines and took a considerable amount of drugs off the streets.”
Police Sergeant Karla Leese from the Basingstoke Priority Crime Team added: “Where there are drugs, there is almost always violence which is why tackling and disrupting the supply of drugs, especially through County Lines, is a vital part of our work to reduce violent crime and keep people safe. As well as making arrests, we also carried out safeguarding operations with a focus on exploited children. Please continue to tell us about any suspected drugs activity in your neighbourhood so we can safeguard children and vulnerable adults and bring offenders to justice.”
To report drug-related activity, contact police on 101 or via the Hampshire Police website. For anonymous reporting, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their website. Information on spotting signs of exploitation is available on The Children Society’s website.
