Prolific Crackdown on Drug Networks across Merseyside including arrests in Southport
Officers from Project Medusa have intensified efforts to dismantle county lines drug networks across Merseyside during the national County Lines Intensification Week (23 June to 29 June 2025).
County lines is the name given to drug dealing where gangs and organised criminal networks use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas. Young people and the vulnerable are frequently targeted, with gangs exploiting them into trafficking drugs, money and weapons.
Merseyside’s dedicated county lines team, Project Medusa, is pivotal in intercepting this exploitation and bringing the exploiters to justice.
WATCH: A day in the life of Merseyside officers tackling County Lines
During the week of action, officers from Project Medusa, local policing and Matrix worked with partners and other forces from across the UK to dismantle and disrupt criminal gangs, resulting in:
239 arrests linked to county lines activity
6 drug lines identified and closed
2,775 wraps of crack cocaine, heroin and cocaine seized
3kg of Class A and Class B drugs seized (including crack cocaine, heroin, cocaine and cannabis)
194 cannabis plants seized and destroyed
More than £38,000 of cash seized
28 weapons recovered
18 people identified as being at risk of exploitation and safeguarded
During an operation in Southport on Tuesday 24 June, the County Lines Taskforce sighted a suspected drug deal near Haweside Street. The suspected dealer attempted to make off but was detained by officers and seen dropping two packages near a parked car. The packages contained 32 wraps of suspected heroin and crack cocaine.
The 16-year-old boy from Liverpool was also found in possession of £280 cash and was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Further enquiries revealed the 16-year-old was wanted for domestic assault.
Later that same day, Taskforce officers intercepted a suspected drug deal in Victoria Park, Southport. A 42-year-old woman from Southport was found in possession of 21 wraps of suspected crack cocaine and heroin and a ‘burner’ phone. She was arrested for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Using technology and police intelligence, the roads networks were also targeted to combat criminals exploiting major roads and motorways. In Bootle, officers stopped a man riding a suspected illegally adapted e-bike. Tests revealed that the e-bike did not conform to EAPC regulations. The 21-year-old rider also failed a roadside drugs wipe and was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and driving with no licence or insurance.