THE dismantling of drugs gangs in Powys continues with six further arrests and charges being made.

This brings the total number of people charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs as part of Operation Regent to 19.

The most recent arrests and charges have been brought against six people who appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Courts and were remanded to prison.

The Dyfed-Powys Police Serious Organised Crime Team (SOCT) travelled to Merseyside to make the arrests against those believed to be involved in the couriering of class A drugs into Powys using county lines supply chains.

The County Lines groups tend to use a local property, generally belonging to a vulnerable person, sometimes drug users, as a base for their activities. This is known as 'cuckooing' and will often happen by force or coercion. Advice and support is being offered to any local vulnerable adults and teenagers exploited in order to maximise their profit from drug supply.

Chief Inspector Matt Scrase, who is leading Operation Regent, said: “This is a great result for Dyfed-Powys Police and the communities within Powys affected by drugs.

"While SOCT has been busy making arrests in Merseyside, local officers and drug treatment agencies have continued in their work to engage with vulnerable drug users as well as provide reassurance to the wider community about the work that is being carried out and the reasons why.”

To report anything suspicious or concerns about the selling and taking of drugs in their community call 101, or report online.

To report information anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For advice and information on County Lines drugs supply see the Dyfed-Powys Police Op Guardian advice page.