Eleven people have been arrested and cash, weapons and drugs seized in a major police crackdown which included Lancaster and Morecambe.
The arrests, and recovery of £14,375, multiple mobile phones, and drugs including more than 800g of cocaine, heroin and crack, and 160 cannabis plants, were part of a County Lines operation by officers.
County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs, using dedicated mobile phone lines.
Officers from West Division, which covers the areas of Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre, Lancaster ,and Morecambe, recently took part in a range of targeted activity for County Lines Intensification Week.
“This activity is just a snapshot of the work we do across West Division every day to disrupt organised crime gangs," said T/Detective Supt Mark Riley.
“These gangs prey on the vulnerable, including children, and exploit them at will, often leaving their victims with devastating long-term consequences.
“These arrests are a message to those who consider engaging in these activities in Lancashire. We will continue to relentlessly pursue those responsible and remove them from our streets.”
During the week, officers distributed leaflets encouraging members of the public to make themselves aware of the signs of child criminal exploitation.
Some of these signs include children frequently going missing and then returning home, having more clothes, mobile phones, or cash than usual, receiving excessive text messages or phone calls and disengagement from school.
Find out more about the signs of child exploitation online HERE.
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said: "Organised crime, and gangs that operate across borders, damage entire communities in Lancashire and across the region.
"We are tackling this issue at full force through Operation Warrior, taking drugs off our streets, safeguarding vulnerable people and ensuring that crime gang suspects are arrested and brought to justice, wherever they are operating from.
"This requires strong partnership working between forces and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, as we stay one step ahead of offenders and disrupt these criminal enterprises.
“I will continue to support the Constabulary to tackle serious and organised crime and strip gang members of their assets, delivering on my Police and Crime Plan priorities and providing efficient and effective policing through strong leadership and tough scrutiny."
If you believe that someone may be involved in County Lines or other drugs activity, you can report it by calling 101.
Alternatively, you can report it via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report your concerns anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk-org. If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
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