The National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued a stark warning about the increasing use of public transport by drug gangs to distribute illegal substances across the UK. These criminal networks are exploiting buses and trains as 'mother ships' to move drugs between cities and rural areas, often using vulnerable individuals to carry out their operations.
How Gangs Are Exploiting Public Transport
According to the NCA, organised crime groups are adopting sophisticated methods to avoid detection. They frequently change routes, use multiple vehicles, and employ young or vulnerable people as couriers. This tactic, known as 'county lines,' has seen a significant rise in recent months.
The Human Cost
Behind these operations lies a darker reality. Many of those involved are victims of exploitation, often coerced into carrying drugs through threats or manipulation. The NCA emphasises that tackling this issue requires not just law enforcement but also support for those caught in these criminal networks.
What's Being Done?
The NCA is working closely with local police forces and transport operators to identify and disrupt these operations. Increased surveillance and intelligence-sharing are key components of their strategy. However, they stress that public awareness and reporting suspicious activity can make a significant difference.
This crackdown comes as part of a broader effort to combat the UK's growing drug epidemic, which has seen record levels of drug-related deaths in recent years.
