POLICE arrested five people, seized more than £2,000 in cash and disrupted various drugs lines during County Lines Intensification Week in Winchester.

The week of intensification, which ran from Monday, March 4 until Sunday, March 10, saw officers focus their efforts on County Lines.

On Monday 4 March, officers stopped a vehicle at junction 11 of the M3.

A man was detained. During searches, officers found a phone, a quantity of cash and wraps of drugs suspected to be cocaine.

Afrim Bardhoshi, 47, of Waters Drive, Staines, was charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A.

He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, March 6 and is next due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, April 5.

On Thursday, March 7, officers on patrol in Winchester city centre arrested a man after noticing some suspicious activity near the entrance to Winnall Moors.

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Following a brief pursuit, a man was detained. Wraps of suspected Class A drugs and cash were seized.

The 21-year-old man from Winchester was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A. He was released from police custody but remains under investigation.

On the same day, officers stopped a car in St Cross Road, Winchester. Suspected Class A drugs were found in the vehicle and the driver and the passenger were arrested.

Nicolae-Gabriel Vlad, 31, of St Clement Street, Winchester, was charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Vlad Marcut, 33, of Wilton Crescent, Southampton, was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Both appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Saturday, March 9 and are next due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on Friday, April 12.

On Sunday, March 10, officers patrolling Sutton Scotney spotted a vehicle, and during a short pursuit, followed it to The Gratton Recreational Ground off Stockbridge Road.

A wallet containing around £700 in cash was found in the car, and, with the aid of a police dog handler, a man was found in a nearby bush. Wraps of suspected Class A drugs were also found.

A 23-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. He has been released on police bail, with conditions, until Monday June 10, pending further enquiries.

Inspector Matt Kirby, from the Winchester district, said: “Our officers were busy during this period making arrests and disrupting Class A drugs supply in the Winchester area.

“This work won’t stop – we are committed to do everything we can to prevent the exploitation of children and vulnerable people in the district.

“We know that violence is often associated with Class A drugs supply, which is why tackling it, especially through County Lines, is a priority for us.

“We still need help from our local communities in telling us what they know. Any information given can help us form the bigger picture and target our resources accordingly.”