Three teenagers from Devon arrested in human trafficking and child exploitation investigation

The teenagers from Devon were arrested in relation to suspected class A drug supply, human trafficking and child exploitation offences. Police officers carried out warrants at addresses in Exeter and Torquay on Wednesday January 10th.

During the arrests, drugs, phones, cash, weapons, and other items were seized during searches of the properties. A further man was arrested in London as part of the Police operation.

This comes following months of intelligence collected by the police force's County Lines team. They tracked a suspected drug operation which was believed to be importing crack cocaine and heroin into the area and exploiting children to move drugs around the region.

Those arrested are:

• A 21-year-old man from Surrey – arrested on suspicion of being in possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and arranging/ facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
• An 18-year-old man from Exeter – arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and arranging/ facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
• A 17-year-old boy from Torquay – arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and arranging/ facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
• A 16-year-old boy from Torquay – arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs

Deputy Senior Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Stuart Hassell said: “Today’s operation is the culmination of many months of intensive work by our team, involving partnership working with our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall, SWROCU, the Metropolitan Police and Merseyside Police.

“The operation has been an outstanding example of cross-border and inter-agency working which has resulted in four people being arrested.”