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Quantities of cash, drugs, weapons and mobile phones were seized in Sussex during a week-long crackdown on County Lines drug dealing.

Dozens of arrests were made and numerous vulnerable people were safeguarded as officers delivered a campaign of education, engagement and enforcement.

The work by Sussex Police was in support of the national County Lines Intensification Week, which ran from Monday 9 October to Sunday 15 October.

Some of the key stats from the week include:

Quantities of cash, drugs, weapons and mobile phones were seized in Sussex during a week-long crackdown on County Lines drug dealing. Picture: Sussex Police

27 suspects arrested

£17,715 cash seized

411 wraps of Class A drugs seized, in addition to 451 grams of Class A or B drugs

Six weapons recovered

46 mobile phones seized

Eight County Lines intercepted and shut down

Seven public engagement events

73 people engaged with at properties associated with cuckooing

30 sessions delivered to 4,916 young people at 13 schools.

Detective Chief Inspector John Wallace, the force lead for County Lines, said: “While I am delighted with the results of this dedicated week of action, I’d like to assure people that we won’t stop here. County Lines drug-dealing brings enormous harm to our communities and it’s up to us, working with our partners and the public, to stop it.

“Please contact Sussex Police online or via Crimestoppers if you have any information what will help.

“Our efforts to prevent, detect and respond to County Lines continue 365 days a year, and we remain as determined as ever to bring offenders to justice.

“This type of criminality will not be tolerated in Sussex, however it is equally as important that we protect the vulnerable people in our communities.”

In addition to the public engagement events, a number of free awareness sessions on cuckooing and child exploitation were delivered to professionals across the county.

Cuckooing is where drug gangs use a vulnerable person’s home as a base for their drug operations, often through violence, intimidation and exploitation.

DCI Wallace added: “I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of County Lines Intensification Week. This operation involved scores of staff and officers from numerous teams across the force, and I am mindful of the extensive hours that have gone into ultimately making Sussex a safer place to live, work and visit."

Sussex Police arrest 27 and seize £17,715 in cash during crackdown on County Lines drug dealing