14 arrested as part of county lines drug dealing and exploitation crack down

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Blackpool Police, working alongside Merseyside Police officers from their Project Medusa team conducted two days of intense activity, proactively targeting county lines drug dealing and the criminal exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults.

The targeted operation was focused in the Blackpool area and undertaken on Thursday 18 September and Friday 19 September. In total 14 people were arrested, and a large quantity of Class A and B drugs were seized, as well as several dangerous weapons.

Police officers and staff from both Lancashire and Merseyside Police worked on the two-day operation was led by Blackpool’s Project ADDER.

Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery) are a specialist team that take a trauma informed approach to tackling Class A drug use. They seek to identify the issues at the root of addiction and offer support and treatment ahead of prosecution for those suffering addiction.

Whilst these people are being offered support, the police team look to target those supplying the most harmful drugs in the town. The team try to provide the environment where help can be found without the persistent threat of further gangs selling drugs in the area.

Warrants were executed at various addresses and increased plain clothed and uniformed patrols were used to intercept drug deals on the streets.

Some of those arrested and detained by our officers included:

  • ·       On Thursday 18 September, a 24-year-old man seen in a hand-to-hand exchange with a suspected drug user. He was detained by officers and found to be in possession of a kinder egg containing wraps of suspected Crack Cocaine. He also had two mobile phones, a knife, and cash on him. He was bailed whilst officers continue to investigate.
  • ·       On Friday 19 September an 18-year-old from Staffordshire and two teenagers, aged 17 and 14 (both from Wolverhampton) were arrested on suspicion of drug supply. They were staying in a local Blackpool hotel, and a search of their room found a phone with numbers suspected of being linked to a County Lines Organised Crime Gang (OCG) in the West Midlands. All were bailed with conditions not to enter Lancashire, and an investigation is underway regarding the exploitation of young people.
  • ·       Also on Friday 19 September, a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Possession with Intent to Supply Class A drugs. The male was seen engaging in a suspected drugs deal and once detained, officers found an amount of suspected Heroin and Crack and £1,290 cash. A search at his home address finds a very untidy and poorly kept home where young children reside, so a referral was made to Social Services to help safeguard and protect them. The male has been released on bail whilst investigations continue.
  • ·       A 34-year-old man was arrested after he was found in possession of Cannabis. A search at his home address located further Cannabis, snap bags and cash. The condition of the house was very poor and there were concerns that children were living at the property, so officers made a second referral to children’s social care. The male has been released on bail whilst investigations continue.
  • ·       Jacob Willis (21) of St Chadds Road Blackpool has been charged and remanded for Possession with Intent to Supply Crack. He pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on the 22nd October.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Clitheroe from Blackpool Police said: “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing those who exploit vulnerable individuals through county lines and drug dealing. Our teams, with support from Merseyside Police’s Project Medusa, have taken action to disrupt criminal networks, safeguard those at risk, and bring offenders to justice.

“Criminal Gangs exploit vulnerable children across the UK, they coerce them into involvement in the supply of drugs with the promise of a better life or financial reward. These gangs do not care about anyone or anything other than making money and every intervention is a chance to break this cycle and build a safer community.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners and communities to ensure that our streets are safer and that those who seek to profit from exploitation are held accountable.

“I would urge anyone with information regarding drug dealing, organised crime or child exploitation please report this to us by calling 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers. In an emergency, always call 999.”