Devon teens arrested in human trafficking and child exploitation investigation
Three teenagers from Devon have been arrested in relation to suspected class A drug supply, human trafficking and child exploitation offences. Police[1] carried out warrants at addresses in Exeter[2] and Torquay[3] on Wednesday morning (January 10). As well as the arrests, drugs phones, cash, weapons, and other items were seized during searches of properties. A further man was arrested in London as part of the operation.
It comes following months of intelligence collected by Avon and Somerset Police's County Lines team. They tracked a suspected drug operation which was believed to be importing crack cocaine and heroin into the area and exploiting children to move drugs around the region.
Those arrested are:
- A 21-year-old man from Surrey - arrested on suspicion of being in possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and arranging/ facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
- An 18-year-old man from Exeter - arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and arranging/ facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
- A 17-year-old boy from Torquay - arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and arranging/ facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
- A 16-year-old boy from Torquay - arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs
Avon and Somerset Police Deputy Senior Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Stuart Hassell said: "Today's operation is the culmination of many months of intensive work by our team, involving partnership working with our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall, SWROCU, the Metropolitan Police and Merseyside Police.
"The operation has been an outstanding example of cross-border and inter-agency working which has resulted in four people being arrested."
References
- ^ Police (www.devonlive.com)
- ^ Exeter (www.devonlive.com)
- ^ Torquay (www.devonlive.com)
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