Quantities of cash and suspected drugs have been seized by police in Weymouth in an operation which saw two men arrested on suspicion of drug offences.

It is the latest in a series of operations to smash the county lines networks – which sees drug gangs from big cities expand their operations to smaller towns, often using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs.

Gangs are also known to take over a person’s home – often someone who is vulnerable or an addict – to supply drugs from. This is known as 'cuckooing'.

In the latest swoop, officers from Dorset Police's County Lines Management Team detained a man on Old Parish Road, Weymouth, on Friday on suspicion of drug related activity.

After cash and suspected drugs were discovered, he was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the supply of Class A drugs.

Officers subsequently searched a nearby property. There, they arrested another man on suspicion of the supply of drugs. Police also found more cash and suspected drugs in the property with the help of Ajax, a specially trained dog.

The two men have been released under investigation.

In other notable operations reported recently:

  • Four people were arrested during a county lines clampdown in Weymouth and Portland earlier this month
  • A teenager was arrested in Weymouth's Radipole Gardens for alleged drug offences
  • A teenager was arrested after police discovered drugs, a large combat knife, a knuckle duster and cash during a raid on a property in Weymouth
  • A man from Liverpool was arrested at a property in Dorchester last month for alleged drug related offences. It came after officers conducted a 'safe and well check' at an address in Poundbury.
  • Police closed down a suspected drugs den in Wyke Regis, Weymouth last month in response to complaints of drug activity and anti-social behaviour
  • Also last month, a total of 27 people were arrested and drugs, cash and weapons seized in a major crackdown on county lines drugs gangs in Dorset and elsewhere

Residents are urged to report any concerns to police in confidence.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “County lines is a growing problem, and one the police simply cannot tackle on their own. We need the support of everyone who cares about our communities, and that’s why we’re asking members of the public to be our eyes and ears and to contact the police if they see anything that doesn’t look right.

“The information they provide could help bring alleged gang members to justice and turn around the lives of those young people they are suspected to have coerced into working for them.”

Anyone with information regarding the supply of drugs is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org."