Over 150 arrests and £53,000 of criminal cash, and class A drugs and weapons have been seized in a cross-border crackdown.

The operation, involving Northumbria Police and partner organisations, was part of a week-long effort that began on Monday, March 4, to combat County Lines criminality, referring to organised criminal networks that use specific phone lines to import and export illegal drugs.

The crackdown resulted in 151 arrests, safeguarding of 78 people, recovery of various drugs and weapons, seizing £52,447 in cash, over 2,000 illegal cigarettes, 50 mobile phones, and seven vehicles.

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Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Liddell said: "This is a fantastic set of results from a week of action which reaffirms our commitment to eradicating this kind of criminality."

Northumbria police and crime commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: "The fight is on against those who prey on our region’s young and vulnerable and coerce or force them into their dangerous world of drug dealing and violence."

NEROCU regional county lines co-ordinator Ian Randell, said: "The public are now fully aware of the efforts ongoing year-round to tackle this type of organised drug crime."

"We are resilient and robust in our approach and intensification weeks like this are just one tactic at our disposal."