Nineteen people have been arrested, tens of thousands of pounds worth of drugs seized, weapons recovered, and several children protected as part of a major police operation to target drugs gangs who prey on vulnerable people in Darlington and County Durham. Last week, officers carried out a series of carefully planned warrants at properties in and around the Darlington area to hit drugs gangs selling to and exploiting vulnerable people. Between Monday (October 3) and Friday (October 7) officers arrested 19 people, confiscated approximately £31,000 in cash, seized tens of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine, and dozens of MDMA tablets. They also safeguarded eight vulnerable people, including five children aged between three and 12. Steroids and drug dealing paraphernalia were also recovered, as well as several suspected stolen e-bikes, weapons, two cars, and a number of pieces of high value jewellery and watches suspected of being purchased using money from drug dealing. The week-long operation formed part of a national crackdown on county lines – a form of exploitation in which criminals groom and manipulate children and other vulnerable people into drug dealing. Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “This operation involved months of diligent and complex intelligence gathering by officers in Darlington, which has resulted in a series of successful coordinated strikes against those who seek to profit from the misery of others. “We have not only arrested those believed to be responsible for large-scale drug dealing in Darlington and beyond, but disrupted their criminal networks and seized their laptops, mobile phones, weapons, cars, and jewellery bought with their profits. “Most importantly though, we have safeguarded eight innocent and vulnerable people – including five young children – who were present at addresses where there was evidence of frequent drug use.” He added: “Safeguarding vulnerable people is a vital tool in the fight against county lines and we rely on intelligence from members of the public to help us do this. “If you know of a vulnerable person who may be involved in county lines, or you simply see something that doesn’t look right, then please report it so we can act on it.” Please call 999 if a person is in immediate danger, or 101 if it does not require an immediate response. Alternatively, you can remain anonymous by reporting intelligence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org