The operation led to the discovery of thousands of cannabis plants, nearly a kilo of crack cocaine and more than £200,000 in cash.
The enforcement, which led to significant disruption to organised crime networks across West Yorkshire, including the Bradford district, formed part of the nationwide County Lines Intensification Week.
A suspect is arrested (Image: T&A/West Yorkshire Police)
The results
In one week alone, officers recovered 905g of crack cocaine, further quantities valued at over £11,000, and 7,400 cannabis plants, alongside designer clothing, vehicles, weapons and 50 mobile phones believed to be linked to drug supply.
Two raids in the Bradford district
West Yorkshire Police’s Operation Phoenix team carried out raids at two Bradford district addresses, working alongside colleagues from Derbyshire and Greater Manchester to make the arrests.
As part of this crackdown, the T&A gained exclusive access to one of the police raids.
Officers from Operation Phoenix were instructed from Derbyshire Constabulary that one individual suspected of county lines dealing could be found at a Fagley address.
Police officers on their way to the property (Image: T&A/West Yorkshire Police)
What did the T&A see?
After meeting at Javelin House Police Station in Eccleshill at 6.45am, we joined Operation Phoenix leader DI Helen Chapman.
Once additional units had been briefed, we moved to a transit van, before meeting the team at the Fagley location at 7.30am.
The team then moved quickly and quietly towards the property before forcing their way through the entrance.
Officers used specialist equipment to cut the door in half, before using a battering ram to then enter the property.
The equipment police used (Image: T&A/West Yorkshire Police)
With a shout of “POLICE”, the team moved quickly through the doorway, detaining the individuals inside as the broken doorframe splintered around them.
Once the chaos had died down, additional officers collected evidence.
After entering the property, officers informed us that an additional individual was also arrested, that they had not expected to be there.
The first suspect then emerged from the property, wearing neon trainers, adidas tracksuit bottoms and dark clothing.
The second individual then joined us in a transit van, before being escorted to Trafalgar House Police Station in the city centre.
The door is smashed through (Image: T&A/West Yorkshire Police)
Fagley raid leads to two arrests
Police confirmed the first detained individual was a 50-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
He was taken into custody, interviewed in relation to the suspected county lines offences, and later released on bail pending further enquiries.
The force later confirmed that a second man, aged 44, was also taken into custody after checks revealed he was wanted on warrant for failing to attend court over theft offences.
Evidence is gathered (Image: T&A/West Yorkshire Police)
What happens on a police raid – questions we asked
Whilst waiting for additional units to arrive, Detective Inspector Chapman outlined the purpose of County Lines Intensification Week.
DI Chapman explained that officers prefer to carry out warrants early in the morning because suspects are more likely to be at home.
She added that later operations carry more uncertainty regarding who may be inside a property, particularly where multi‑occupancy or multi‑generational households are common.
DI Chapman explained that the initiative once focused solely on drug activity crossing county borders but now covers any instance in which drugs or criminal operations are facilitated through transport.
She highlighted areas such as Keighley as being particularly affected.
Javelin House Police Station (Image: T&A/West Yorkshire Police)
Keighley stop leads to Class A supply charges
On the Monday of the week earlier this month, officers from Operation Phoenix joined West Yorkshire Police’s Proactive Intercept Team to target county lines drug dealing activity in the Keighley area.
An Audi A3, which had been seen earlier that morning in Silsden and later in Keighley, was stopped by officers on the A629 between Silsden and Keighley at 9.45am.
A man and woman from the vehicle were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Shane Vickers, 26, of Bradford Road in Cleckheaton, was later charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.
He was charged to appear at Bradford Magistrates’ Court the following day.
The woman, aged 29 and from Gargrave in North Yorkshire, was released on bail pending further enquiries.
Officers carrying their specialist equipment (Image: T&A/West Yorkshire Police)
Young people protected from exploitation
A major focus of this intensification week was reducing child criminal exploitation, with police working alongside safeguarding partners.
Across West Yorkshire, 31 people were safeguarded, including 25 children aged under 18.
In Bradford specifically, officers targeted known dealing lines and street dealers and worked with local housing agencies to identify and intervene at addresses linked to exploitation.
The remnants of the smashed door (Image: T&A)
Police: ‘We cannot be complacent’
Detective Superintendent Marie Bulmer, West Yorkshire Police’s Head of Serious and Organised Crime, said the operation shows the “real risk of serious harm” posed by county lines networks, particularly to young people.
She said: “Criminal gangs involved in county lines drug dealing continue to present a real risk of serious harm to those they exploit, particularly young people.
“It is only through the type of coordinated work we have seen across West Yorkshire during this latest intensification week that we will continue to disrupt and dismantle this abhorrent trade.”