TWO teenagers have been arrested in connection with a County Lines operation between Redditch and Birmingham.

Two 16-year-olds were arrested in Astley Close as part of a police operation to clamp down on County Lines activity.

Officers also found several hundred wraps of suspected crack cocaine and heroin along with a quantity of cash and mobile phones on November 17.

The teens, who have been released under investigation, were arrested in connection with the Marlow County Line, which is responsible for bringing drugs from Birmingham into Redditch.

Detective Constable Dave Laver said: “County Lines’ activity involves a group from a large urban area travelling to smaller locations to sell drugs. They may challenge an existing group from the local area or another group in order to take over the local market which often causes an increase in violent incidents.

“These groups are travelling between urban and county locations on a regular basis to collect drugs and deliver cash and are putting many people at risk of harm.

“Disrupting these County Lines is a priority of our team and of the force. We want to ensure that Redditch becomes a no-go area for travelling criminality such as this and we will continue to target those who bring drugs into our home towns, who are violent and who exploit vulnerable members of our communities.”

“I would ask that anyone with suspicions that a property is being used to sell drugs from, or that a young or vulnerable person may be getting involved with county lines drug dealing to please contact me or your local police station. You can also ring 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where the information can be given anonymously.”