Man (22) charged with drug offences during police week of action to tackle county lines crime

A MAN was charged with possession of crack cocaine and heroin after a drugs bust in Parkgate as part of a national week of police action to tackle "county lines" crime.

Police raided a property in Parkgate where a “large quantity” of crack cocaine and heroin — worth around £4,000 — was recovered, in addition to £5,000 in cash, body armour and phones.

Mohammed Marson (22), of Rawmarsh Hill, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

He was later charged with possession of crack cocaine and heroin and remanded to court.

Taxi firms in Rotherham were also visited and staff given advice and training on exploitation and child exploitation as part of the national multi-agency operation tackling county lines crime, a police spokesperson said.

County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of "deal line".

Police said offenders were likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they would often use coercion, intimidation, violence, including sexual violence, and weapons.

Throughout the week, officers engaged with pupils in schools across the district, teaching children about exploitation and what this can mean, in addition to holding engagement stalls where officers and partners spoke to more than 500 members of the public about spotting the signs.

Chf Insp Leanne Dean, the County Lines Intensification Week lead, said: “Going out and speaking to the young people of South Yorkshire has been an important element of the last week, making sure they understand what exploitation is and how easy it can be to be coerced into county lines criminality, and if they feel something is not right, they can report this to us.” 

Anyone with concerns about exploitation can contact the police via the online portal or by calling 101, or 999 if in danger.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at Crimestoppers-uk.org.