Three men arrested during County Lines drug bust in north London

Met officers have arrested three men and seized drugs and cash after carrying out warrants across Camden and Islington.

The warrants, on Wednesday, 18 March, form part of an intelligence-led operation to keep communities safe from County Line gangs and exploitation, and associated criminality in north London.

During the operation, officers seized a large quantity of cocaine and MDMA, along with approximately £8,000.

It follows a week-long national operation – which ran between Monday, 2 and Sunday, 8 March - where the Met made 415 arrests, closed 116 drugs lines and seized £195,000 in cash as part of its ongoing effort to pursue criminal gangs.

So far, 178 of those arrested have been charged in relation to high-harm offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarb Kaur, who is part of the Met’s work to tackle County Lines, said:

“County lines devastate lives. It is so much more than drug dealing – it causes real, visible harm and has wide-reaching impact on communities across London.

“Through warrants such as this one, we are dismantling organised crime groups whose drug dealing and county lines operations fuel the very violence and gang conflict that rips communities, including in Camden and Islington, apart.”

Officers arrested three men, aged between 25 and 32, on suspicion of offences including concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of offensive weapons.

They remain in custody.

Through proactive and targeted work, we have disrupted serious and organised crime groups more than 21,231 times in 2025, an increase of 63 per cent compared to 2024 (12,994). This includes seizures, arrests and prosecutions.

As part of A New Met for London: Phase 2, the Met remains committed to preventing crime through a proactive and precise approach to policing, and raising awareness within the community by strengthened neighbourhood teams.

Our response to County Lines is an example of how we are disrupting the most dangerous criminals, and working with partners to help educate Londoners and keep our communities safe.

If you are concerned about drug-related crime in your area or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, please call us on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

If you would like to provide information anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.

For more information on county lines and how to prevent yourself or a loved one from becoming a victim, visit www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines