237 Arrests, 17 Drug Lines Dismantled in Merseyside County Lines Intensification Week

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Merseyside Police has arrested 237 people and dismantled 17 drug lines during County Lines Intensification week (2-8 March 2026).

County lines refers to drug dealing in which organised criminal networks use mobile phone lines to move and supply drugs, often exploiting children and vulnerable adults to transport drugs, weapons and money.

Merseyside’s dedicated county lines team, Project Medusa, continues to play a pivotal role in intercepting this exploitation and bringing the exploiters to justice. The project includes the County Lines Taskforce, the Operation Toxic investigation team and Operation Stonehaven, which focuses on early intervention and prevention.

During the week of action, officers seized more than 18kg of heroin, crack cocaine, cannabis, nitrous oxide and ketamine.

They also recovered more than £42,000 in cash, 35 weapons, including daggers, zombie knives, handguns and imitation firearms.

During this week of action: 

  • 237 arrests (including possession of a controlled Class A/B drug, possession of an offensive weapon, drug driving and possession with intent to supply)

  • 17 drug lines dismantled

  • More than £42,000 in cash seized 

  • 35 dangerous weapons taken off our streets 

  • 36 cuckooing visits carried out 

  • 50 vulnerable people safeguarded

  • 3 electric bikes, 2 dangerous dogs and 64 mobile phones seized

Because county lines networks operate across borders, the County Lines Taskforce worked closely with colleagues from Lancashire Police, North Wales Police, West Mercia Police, British Transport Police, and partner agencies including councils and housing associations to dismantle and disrupt organised crime groups.

A key focus of the week was protecting vulnerable people. Officers visited 36 addresses suspected of being used for cuckooing, safeguarding 50 young people and adults who had been targeted by criminal gangs.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Stratton from Project Medusa said: “This week’s activity sends a clear message to those involved in County Lines: we will find you, we will seize your drugs and weapons, and we will protect the people you seek to exploit. Our work doesn’t end with intensification week – this is a year‑round commitment.

“The arrests, seizures and safeguarding work carried out by our teams demonstrate the relentless effort taking place every day across Merseyside, and the power of working alongside other police forces and support organisations.”

As part of Project Medusa’s prevention work, a range of diversionary activities took place through Operation Stonehaven. These were delivered in partnership with Anfield Boxing Club, Catch22, Everton in the Community, Ivison Trust, LFC Foundation, Positive Futures, Hype, Tower Hill Boxing Club, Early Help St Helens, Toxteth El8te, AP Coaching & Mentoring and Tranmere Rovers in the Community.

Project Medusa also played a key role in Operation Vanguard on Wednesday 4 March, joining 300 officers to execute warrants, conduct roadside checks, carry out land searches and more in a sustained, coordinated crackdown on criminal activity in Anfield.

Coordinated by the NPCC-ledNational County Lines Coordination Centre(NCLCC), the County Lines Intensification Week forms a key part of the national County Lines policing strategy, which aims to prevent County Lines, protect children and vulnerable adults, prepare communities to mitigate against the harms and impact, and pursue offenders including for Drugs Supply, Modern Slavery and Weapons offences.

Eyes Open

TheEyes Open campaigncontinues to raise awareness of child criminal exploitation and county lines. It highlights how gangs groom children with promises of friendship and ‘free’ gifts such as designer clothes, vapes and expensive bikes – trapping them in cycles of debt and exploitation.

Young people, parents and carers are urged to keep their #EyesOpen for the signs of criminal exploitation and to report concerns.

To learn more about spotting the signs, visithttps://eyes-open.co.uk/.

You can report concerns to police on 999 if a crime is in progress, via 101, or through our social media desk on X @MerPolCC. Young people can access non-judgemental advice anonymously via Crimestoppers’Fearless service.