More than 60 people have been arrested in connection with drug supply in Keighley

More than 60 people have been arrested after a huge operation in Keighley saw the dismantling of drugs linked to County Lines operating in the town and across the border in Skipton.
The operation lead by Bradford’s Precision Team, worked with the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, (YHROCU) West Yorkshire Police’s Specialist Support Group, North Yorkshire Police, and the local Keighley Neighbourhood Policing team.
Over the last four weeks 61 warrants were executed in Keighley (55) and in Skipton (6) in relation to the supply of class A drugs.
It’s after an 18 month proactive investigation into County Lines.
62 people were arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences, of those arrested 31 have been charged.
During the operation Police have recovered more than £100,000 in cash, 3kg of cannabis and crack cocaine and heroin. Also seized were a number of weapons including batons, knuckle dusters, two swords, a machete and crossbow.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Levitt of West Yorkshire Police headed up the operation said:
“This has been a significant proactive operation tackling drugs and organised crime in Keighley.
“Through working with our partners throughout this operation we have managed to dismantle more than 20 County Lines from Keighley to Skipton.
“I would like to thank the YHROCU for their invaluable assistance in this operation along with the National Coordination centre for County Lines and North Yorkshire Police.
“Bradford’s Precision team have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months, and these arrests and charges are the culmination of their hard work.
“We know the devastation that drugs can have on the community, and I hope this provides reassurance that we are taking this issue seriously with the number of people arrested and
charged.”
Inspector John Barker of Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team said:
“This operation highlights our commitment with Keighley Together to the local community to tackle drugs and organised crime in Keighley.
“Residents say drugs are a huge concern in the area, I would like to thank members of the community who provide vital intelligence about drug supply.
“I hope this action over the last few weeks sends a clear message that we take drug crime extremely seriously and we will do everything we can to keep people safe and get these drugs off the streets.”
Detective Chief Inspector Fionna McEwan of North Yorkshire Police said: “We began working on this extensive joint operation more than a year ago, resulting in six warrants and seven arrests on suspicion of class-A drug offences in North Yorkshire alone. It has also led to the seizure of a significant quantity of substances from addresses in the Craven area of our county.
“Being a rural county, North Yorkshire is susceptible to County Lines drug supply networks from neighbouring areas. But by working closely with West Yorkshire Police and other forces, we can address the issue proactively and in a way that makes a real difference to our communities.
“We have highly-skilled officers who‘ve worked tirelessly on this and other operations, and we are working closely with residents to listen to their concerns and make their community safer. I would urge residents to share any information about drugs in their community with us on our website or by calling 101. We can and do use this information to make a difference.”