£70k of Cocaine Seized from Car in Scarborough as Part of Drugs Crackdown

26 arrests and thousands of pounds in drugs and cash seized as North Yorkshire Police take part in County Lines Intensification Week with significant activity in Scarborough, Eastfield and Whitby.

North Yorkshire Police has taken part in a national week of action to target county lines drug dealing which has resulted in 26 arrests and the seizure of cash, suspected drugs, weapons and mobile phones.

Teams from across the force carried out proactive enforcement against those with suspected links to drugs offences.

The week of action took place between Monday 9 and Sunday 15 October 2023 and was coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC).

During the week, officers executed 14 warrants, seized over £70,000 in cash which is suspected to be linked to criminality as well as several Class A, B and C drugs.

In Scarborough, officers located 1-2 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of £70,000 from one vehicle.

Officers also carried out a search of a property in the Eastfield area. A large quantity of what is suspected to be cannabis was located as well as two machetes and a BB gun. A 16-year-old boy and a man in his 30s were both arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class-B drug. The 16-year-old was released with bail conditions which prevent him from entering North Yorkshire and the man in his 30s was released under investigation.

A 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class-A drug. The 17-year-old and 18-year-old were both released under investigation. The 16-year-old boy was released on conditional bail with conditions which prevent him from entering North Yorkshire.

Five warrants were executed in one day in the Scarborough area. Officers searched a vehicle that was linked to one of the addresses and recovered approximately £100,000 worth of Class A and B drugs and £30,000 in cash. A 23-year-old man was arrested for being concerned in the supply of a class-B drug, possession with intent to supply a class-A drug and possession of criminal property. He was charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis and remanded in custody to appear at York Magistrates’ Court the following day. He remains under investigation for other drugs offences. A 61-year-old man was arrested for being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug. He was interviewed and released under investigation. Another 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug he was interviewed and released on bail.

A member of the public reported that three men were dealing drugs in a property in Scarborough town centre. Officers attended the property and recovered a quantity of cash, weapons, and drugs paraphernalia. Two men in their 20s and a man in his 40s were both arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class- A drug. They were interviewed and released on bail.

In Whitby Police received a report of a road traffic collision where the driver and passenger of one of the vehicles involved had left the scene. A man in his 20s who was linked to the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of driving when unfit through drugs. Officers suspected the man to be involved in the supply of drugs and conducted a search at his address. A quantity of what is believed to be cocaine was recovered and he was further arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply. A woman in her 20s who is linked to the address was also arrested for the same offence. They were both interviewed and released under investigation pending further investigation.

The 26 arrests took place in Scarborough, Whitby, Harrogate and York. Police also seized 11 dangerous weapons which included two machetes, three samurai swords, two knuckledusters and a pistol.

Drugs are often imported via the transport network and officers executed several warrants with support from the British Transport Police. There were also a number of proactive patrols at train and bus stations which involved the use of a specialist drugs dog.

As part of the week of action, proactive safeguarding and welfare checks were conducted at hotels and Bed and Breakfasts where known vulnerable persons are living. In total officers safeguarded 73 people who are known or suspected as being vulnerable to county lines exploitation.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Simpson, who led the week of activity for North Yorkshire Police, commented:

“Last week’s targeted activity demonstrates how we are working tirelessly to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs and protect the young and vulnerable in our communities who are exploited by them.

“It’s important to stress that this is just one week’s activity, and this type of disruption and safeguarding is taking place in communities across North Yorkshire all year round.

“As a force we are committed to cutting these County Lines and to protecting vulnerable people. But we cannot do this alone, our work with partners is important and we also need the support of the public. “It’s vital that everyone who cares for or knows young and vulnerable people understands the issue and knows the warning signs.”