Op Medusa action sees large number of drugs-related arrests in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot

South Wales Police officers, working closely with Merseyside Police, launched an operation this month to tackle drugs trafficking in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

The intelligence-led initiative – codenamed Medusa – was set up to tackle County Lines – criminal gangs supplying drugs using dedicated mobile phone lines in the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot area.

Enforcement action was undertaken in the Swansea and Neath areas on September 10 and 11, resulting in the following outcomes:

• 5 Bulk Messaging Drug Lines were subject of enforcement action.

• 24 arrests were made for drug offences, including supply with a total of 13 charges to date, with several investigation ongoing.

• 4 weapons seized, including 3 bladed articles.

• 10 vehicles seized

• £3000 cash seized

• 1 child was referred to Safeguarding services where the individual was at risk of harm.

• 48 mobile phones seized from offenders suspected of being involved in drug supply.

• Over £5000 of drugs including heroin and crack cocaine were recovered.

Detective Chief Inspector Marc Gardner said:

“The numbers show the scale of the issue impacting the communities in South Wales and our efforts to identify and impose on those causing harm and to safeguard people at risk are continual.

“Drugs and drug-related crime are extremely harmful to our communities, and operations such as this are crucial to targeting those responsible.

“Operation Medusa is an enhanced proactive operation dedicated to tackling and disrupting county lines networks operating in and out of Swansea Neath Port Talbot which continue to control illegal drugs and exploit vulnerable people for illicit gains.

“Specialist resources have been used to persistently pursue individuals with a view to arresting suspects, removing controlled drugs from the streets and identify any avenues to disrupt those involved in the recruitment of vulnerable individuals who are pressurised into such activity.

“We have seen through Operation Medusa that working alongside other forces allows us to maximise information sharing and intelligence in order to target offenders, safeguard vulnerable people and prevent further harm.”

Inspector Stephen Morris from Merseyside Police said:

“Merseyside’s dedicated county lines team, Project Medusa, continues to work closely with other forces and agencies to target County Lines and protect vulnerable people.

“This operation with South Wales shows that we will relentlessly target those crime groups who supply drugs across the country, cowardly exploit vulnerable people in our communities and take part in serious criminal behaviour such as violence, exploitation and abuse.

“Our work to remove these people from our streets and bring them to justice will continue on a daily basis and I would ask anyone who has information about this kind of activity to come forward so action can be taken.”

DCI Gardner added:

“This operation would not have been successful without the support of a wide range of others within the force including British Transport Police, Public Service Centre, Custody Services, Dyfodol, Joint Scientific Investigations Unit, Operational Support Services, and our Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

“Thank you to all for your contribution to Operation Medusa.”