Watch the Liverpool Echo's full interview with Detective Chief Inspector Gary Stratton
Merseyside Police warned "someone will be there" as more than 230 people have been arrested. It comes after hundreds of police officers descended on parts of Liverpool last week.
Merseyside Police carried out a large-scale police operation, codenamed Operation Vanguard, in Anfield and other parts of Liverpool involving around 300 officers. People living in the area saw officers from numerous teams, including matrix, county lines, dog and mounted police and underwater search teams undertake what was described as a "sustained and relentless offensive" against criminals.
In an interview with Detective Chief Inspector Gary Stratton, the ECHO was told how the raids meant our streets are safer and communities can be reassured. Ch Insp Stratton said: "This is a real showcase of what this force can do to tackle county lines. Dozens of people were charged and so you will start to see an increase in convictions at court over the coming months, certainly up until six months time.
"A lot of the cases that you will see in particular to the closure of the 17 county lines we will see those come quickly, due to the sheer weight of evidence that we have put against those subjects."
When asked about future operations Ch Insp Stratton confirmed it's something Merseyside Police will continue in the future across sporadic areas of Merseyside.
237 people have been arrested following the raids
237 people have been arrested following the raids(Image: Merseyside Police)
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He said: "It's not just within Merseyside what we're tackling. Project Medusa is dedicated to tackle county lines, Merseyside criminals who are travelling across the UK and impacting other force areas. We look to assist other forces. We will travel where Merseyside criminals travel."
Merseyside Police has learnt a "considerable amount" since Project Medusa started in 2019, says Ch Insp Stratton. He said: "What is clear, criminals adapt to our tactics so then we have to adapt to what they are changing into."
On the force's focus on online drugs sales, Ch Insp Stratton said: "We have seen a significant increase in criminals using social media so if they're on those platforms were now on them platforms as well. Wherever there are drug sales online, then someone will be there."
300 police officers were deployed(Image: PA)
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Today, Friday, March 13, Merseyside Police confirmed it arrested 237 people. Some of the accused offences include possession of a controlled class A/B drug; possession of an offensive weapon and drug driving and possession with intent to supply.
Officers seized more than 18kg of heroin, crack cocaine, cannabis, nitrous oxide and ketamine. They also recovered more than £42,000 in cash, 35 weapons, including daggers, zombie knives, handguns and imitation firearms.
The force also took down 17 drug lines, carried out 36 cuckooing visits, safeguarded 50 vulnerable people and seized three electric bikes, two dangerous dogs and 64 mobile phones.
Merseyside Police confirmed 230 officers were involved in the first wave of the raids, executing 36 warrants with a list of 46 suspects they are looking to arrest.
County lines refers to drug dealing in which organised criminal networks use mobile phone lines to move and supply drugs, often exploiting children and vulnerable adults to transport drugs, weapons and money.
Merseyside’s dedicated county lines team, Project Medusa, continues to play a pivotal role in intercepting this exploitation and bringing the exploiters to justice. The project includes the County Lines Taskforce, the Operation Toxic investigation team and Operation Stonehaven, which focuses on early intervention and prevention.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Stratton from Project Medusa said: “This week’s activity sends a clear message to those involved in County Lines: we will find you, we will seize your drugs and weapons, and we will protect the people you seek to exploit. Our work doesn’t end with intensification week – this is a year‑round commitment.
“The arrests, seizures and safeguarding work carried out by our teams demonstrate the relentless effort taking place every day across Merseyside, and the power of working alongside other police forces and support organisations.”
You can watch the Liverpool Echo's full interview with Detective Chief Inspector Gary Stratton in the video above.