Operation Hypernova: Tackling county lines exploitation and drug supply
We’re writing to tell you about one of the biggest operations Cambridgeshire has ever seen to tackle exploitation and illegal drugs.
Operation Hypernova was launched by Cambridgeshire Police in a bid to make the county hostile towards county lines drug dealers, prevent further exploitation of young and vulnerable people and reduce serious street-based violence.
So far 44 people have been arrested with 39 of those charged with more than 139 drug and human trafficking offences.
It’s been happening on a street near you.
Officers carried out more than 15 dawn raids across places including Cambridge, Peterborough, Ramsey, March, Yaxley, Haverhill, Luton and London following weeks of intelligence gathering into those bringing class A drugs into Cambridgeshire and exploiting vulnerable people.
Thirty-three county lines have been dismantled with crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin and cannabis worth more than £600,000 seized along with hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash and assets including vehicles, jewellery and clothing.
Several weapons including push daggers and knives have also been seized.
Watch the operation unfold here.
We are working harder than ever to crack down on county lines, which bring misery to our communities in the form of exploitation, drug dealing and violence.
Tackling county lines is in equal parts about safeguarding victims, shutting down the line and targeting line holders.
You can find out more about the work of Operation Hypernova, including pictures and video as well as understanding what county lines and cuckooing are and how to spot the signs on our website.
If you are concerned about drug-related crime in your area or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, report it to us by calling 101 or online.
Thanks for your support.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris O’Brien
Intelligence and Specialist Crime Department
