Cocaine Supply: 32 Arrests Made In Worthing Since August 2019

Tuesday, 13 October 2020 14:08

By Charlotte Baker @Ch4rtweets

Thirty-two arrests have been made in Worthing since August 2019 in a police operation to target cocaine supply.

Sussex Police said it was in a specific attempt to disrupt those who used vehicles to supply the class A drug.

The arrests were made in a collaborative effort between different policing teams in the area, through warrants, covert and overt patrols, and intelligence.

Further to the arrests, 23 vehicles have been seized, £13,000 has been recovered and between £13,000 and £15,000 worth of drugs has been taken off the streets.

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Of the 32 arrests:

A 27-year-old man was given a six year prison sentence
A 28-year-old man from Worthing will appear at court next month to face two charges
Seven were passed into the care of the Home Office
Eight were given a caution
Seven were released without further charge for drug offences
One was dealt with by the means of a fine
One was charged for driving offences
Six remain released under investigation while enquiries are ongoing

PC Chris Corker of the Prevent Enforcement Team, who launched the operation, said:

“Drugs can have a huge impact on the community and we are committed to disputing the dealers who try to deal dangerous drugs in Worthing.

“We investigate and prosecute those who would bring harm to local people and our proactive work over the last year has seen a notable reduction in those using vehicles to supply drugs to the area.

“We will continue to proactively tackle this behaviour and send out the message that those dealing drugs in Worthing are not welcome.”

‘County Lines' is a term used by Police and partner agencies to refer to drug networks, both gangs and organised crime groups, from large urban areas such as London, who use children and young people and vulnerable adults to carry out illegal activity on their behalf.

Gangs dealing drugs is not a new issue but the extent to which criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults, as well as the increasing use of violence, has become an inherent part of it through 'County Lines' makes it especially damaging.