Fourteen arrested in major Blackpool county lines crackdown

Fourteen people have been arrested and drugs and weapons seized following a major police operation targeting county lines drug dealing and the criminal exploitation of young people in Blackpool.

The two-day operation, carried out on 18 and 19 September, saw Blackpool Police working alongside Merseyside officers from Project Medusa — a specialist team tackling county lines networks. The action was led by Blackpool’s Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery), which takes a trauma-informed approach to supporting those affected by addiction while disrupting drug supply networks.

During the operation, warrants were executed at multiple addresses, and both plain-clothed and uniformed patrols were deployed to intercept street-level drug deals.

Among those detained was a 24-year-old man found with a Kinder egg containing suspected crack cocaine, two phones, a knife and cash. An 18-year-old from Staffordshire and two teenagers from Wolverhampton, aged 17 and 14, were also arrested on suspicion of drug supply, with evidence linking them to a West Midlands county lines gang.

Another suspect, aged 28, was arrested for possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine, while a 34-year-old man was held after cannabis and cash were found at his home. In both cases, referrals were made to children’s social care due to poor living conditions and safeguarding concerns.

Jacob Willis, 21, of St Chadds Road, Blackpool, was charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine. He has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 22 October.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Clitheroe said the operation demonstrated the force’s determination to protect the vulnerable and dismantle criminal networks.

“We are committed to relentlessly pursuing those who exploit vulnerable individuals through county lines and drug dealing,” he said.

“Every intervention is a chance to break this cycle and build a safer community.”