MORE than £40,000 worth of drugs, cash and stolen bikes were seized during a police operation in Dorset which saw 14 people arrested.

Dorset Police has completed a week of intense activity in a bid to tackle and disrupt so-called county lines drugs operations in the county.

The operation ran from May 17-21 and resulted in 14 arrests and £7,100 in cash seized from suspected dealers.

Officers also seized approximately 146 grams of suspected crack cocaine and 90 grams of suspected heroin with an esimated value of £23,600. Stolen bikes valued at £12,000 were also recovered.

Checks were also carried out to protect vulnerable people against criminal gangs.

Prison term increased for sexual assault on sleeping woman

Sometimes drug dealers set up shop in the home of a vulnerable person in a process called cuckooing. Safe and well checks ensure vulnerable people are not being exploited in this way.

Dorset Police county lines lead, Detective Superintendent Andy Dilworth said: "The disruption of county lines is a priority for us due to the harm criminal gangs cause through the exploitation of vulnerable people. I am delighted with the success we have had during this week. Our streets are safer as a direct result of the disruption activity we have carried out.

"However, this work did not take place in isolation. We are working on tackling this threat every week of the year to safeguard our communities against organised drug crime."

Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: "I want to praise the hard work of the officers who carried out these arrests, but I’d also like to reassure residents that countering the threat posed to our communities by county lines gangs is an ongoing effort and will be one of my main priorities as PCC.

Man jailed for inflicting life-changing injuries in Boscombe attack

"Not only do these gangs bring all the harms associated with drug use to our small towns, they also prey on children and vulnerable adults through the destructive practice known as ‘cuckooing’.

"I am intent on working very closely with Dorset Police, as well as a wide range of partners including both our local authorities, to make sure these gangs find it as difficult as possible to operate anywhere in our county. I want them to understand that Dorset is not a good place to ply their toxic trade."

County lines is the name given to a method of dealing drugs by organised crime gangs by using a dedicated branded mobile phone line. The gangs exploit vulnerable people – including children – by making them deal drugs or by moving into their home and using it base to sell drugs.

If you think someone is being exploited by county lines gangs, call police on 101 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800  555 111. 

Further information on county lines can be found at dorset.police.uk/countylines