Seventy three people have been arrested by Avon and Somerset Police in relation to county lines drug dealing.

During the week-long action £7000 worth of suspected class A drugs were seized, along with £85,000 in cash, and £25,000 worth of designer goods suspected to have been bought from the proceeds of crime.

The arrests came during a week of action targeting county lines drug gangs. County lines describes gangs and organised criminal networks who export illegal drugs out of bigger cities into smaller towns using dedicated phone lines.

Police also sent text messages to county lines drug gangs in an effort to disrupt their work.

They sent texts to three drug deal lines believed to be operating in the area to make dealers aware they knew what the phone number was being used for.

They also sent messages to 600 suspected drug users, directing them to support groups, and visited properties at risk of cuckooing (being taken over by drug dealers).

Detective Chief Inspector Kerry Paterson, force lead for county lines, said: “We are determined to do everything we can to disrupt and catch those who seek to exploit vulnerable people to sell drugs.

“We know the majority of people who get involved in county lines are expertly groomed and the text messages we sent out were designed specifically to highlight to those who may feel trapped, that there are people who can help them.

“At the same time, the texts make it extremely clear to those using the phone to sell drugs that we are seeking to disrupt their dealing and identify who they are.

"It is important that everybody recognises the signs of drug activity and exploitation of vulnerable people. If you have any information about people you believe are involved in drugs, either as victims or perpetrators, please let us know. We will assess all intelligence received and take robust action where necessary.”

Detective Inspector Charlotte Tucker, regional county lines co-ordinator at the south west regional organised crime unit, said: “What these results show is that when police forces work together and share information, we are able to really tighten our grip on those who cause so much harm to communities."

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “County lines is not something we can ignore and Avon and Somerset officers have once again carried out excellent work to target organised criminals who are putting the most vulnerable in our communities at harm.

“I recently accompanied officers on welfare checks. It was clear that the individuals we visited were incredibly vulnerable due to past or existing habits. However, most of them welcomed the officers with open arms and felt reassured that being checked on by the police made them less attractive to being cuckooed. We must continue to disrupt county lines and stop those who want to exploit the most vulnerable for their own benefit.”