County Lines drug dealing not a problem here, say police

County Lines drug dealing operations are not happening on the Isle of Wight, say police. 

So-called “County Lines” drug dealing is the term used to describe inner-city drug dealing networks setting up in rural and coastal areas, often employing vulnerable people and children to sell, transport or store drugs and cash for them.

The recent crime phenomenon has not yet crossed the Solent, but it has reached Portsmouth.

A week of operations in Cosham, Southsea and the wider Portsmouth area have resulted in six arrests of men in their 20s for drug dealing related offences.

As part of the operations, two males aged 18 and 17 were charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin and for possessing a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place.

They both appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Saturday (October 13) and were remanded into custody.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “There is no known county lines criminal activity on the Island at this time.”

If you have information about drug-dealing, call the police on 101, or in an emergency or if a crime is in progress call 999.

You can also contact the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.