Footages released by Cumbria Police showed the moment officers smashed down a door during a series of dramatic raids in a £50,000 county lines drugs blitz across Cumbria.

The dramatic moment was part of a major week-long crackdown on county lines drug dealing.

The warrant was one of nearly 20 executed across the county during an intensification week that saw 14 arrests, seizures of heroin, cocaine and cannabis, as well as weapons and almost £50,000 in suspected criminal cash.

The action was part of an ongoing effort by Cumbria Police to dismantle organised drug networks and safeguard vulnerable individuals who may be exploited by these gangs.

Police in Cumbria made 14 arrests and executed nearly 20 search warrants in a week-long intensification of work to tackle county lines drugs crime.

Heroin, cocaine and cannabis were seized – along with weapons and almost £50,000 in cash suspected to have been made illegally.

Other arrests were made following individual investigations and patrols as those officers taking part spotted other offences as they came across them.

Results included:

• The seizure of cannabis, gold valued at nearly £3,500 and about £22,500 cash following a warrant executed in Whitehaven. One man was arrested.
• A warrant executed at Stramongate, Kendal. This led to the arrest and subsequent charge of a man with offences including possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, as well as breach of a sexual risk order. Seizures were made of £7,045 in cash, cocaine, cannabis, an off road E- bike and 19 pairs of Nike Air Max trainers still in their boxes.
• Seizure of an air rifle, cocaine, cannabis and cash from a property in Tay Court, Barrow. One man was arrested.
• A man arrested in Carlisle on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. A quantity of heroin was seized.
• The seizure of £8,000 cash, cocaine and a zombie knife following the execution of a warrant at James Street, Barrow.
• A man arrested in the Grange-over-Sands area on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. This followed the execution of a warrant.
• A man charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs following a warrant at Manchester Street, Barrow.
• Cash, cannabis and other items seized in Marks Avenue, Carlisle. One man was arrested.
• The seizure of a baton-style metal pole with a fixed blade following an arrest in Workington.

Detective Inspector Sam Johnson said:
“County lines drugs crime brings misery to communities in the form of drug dealing and violence.

“Our officers work all-year-round to tackle this threat and protect those potentially being exploited.

“With this intensification period, we stepped up our work even further in a focussed week-long effort to disrupt and dismantle these groups.

“At the heart of the county lines model is the exploitation of vulnerable people – and sometimes children.

“That is why as well as relentlessly pursuing those involved, we also have a prevention-first approach to stopping this type of offending in the first place.

“Our officers and staff work to stop people being drawn in to protect them and safeguard them from harm.”