Aberconwy MP Robin Millar has paid tribute to the courage and dedication of North Wales Police officers in combatting criminals operating illegal narcotics networks, also known as county lines, throughout North Wales.
Speaking during a debate in Parliament about the impacts of illegal drug use on local communities Robin highlighted the work of North Wales Police by saying:
“I pay tribute to brave police officers across North Wales who are working around the clock to disrupt and shut down these county lines operations.”
Continuing, Robin said:
“I want to highlight in particular the astonishing work of the Intercept Team, a team that covers the whole region, and was set up to clamp down on organised crime and drug gangs throughout North Wales.
“In March of this year alone they have made 16 arrests for a range of offences, have seized over 100 wraps of Class A drugs, 40 bags of Class B drugs and £5000 in cash. The officers have carried out warrants, stopped several vehicles and have made arrests linked to possession of controlled drugs, drink and drug driving and other driving offences.”
On the police’s action against county lines operations, Robin said:
“It takes real courage and dedication to deliver this kind of performance and their protection of the public is invaluable. Frankly, they are a credit to the communities that they serve in North Wales.”
Having recognised the important role of the police in shutting down the supply side of illegal drug use, Robin also stressed the important role communities and community groups must play in dealing with the demand side of the drug trade.
Echoing the words of a senior police officer he said: ‘You cannot arrest your way out of this problem’.
Using the example of a ‘posse’ in the old cowboy films, he urged communities and community groups to remember their role alongside law enforcement and to take ownership of providing positive pathways for young people. Staying alert to early signs of gang involvement, providing alternative role models – and a loving family and home – are all key in ensuring better life outcomes for young people.
He also challenged the Police Minister to help resource these efforts as part of a holistic response to the drug problem, so that young people can realise their aspirations without succumbing to the allure and false promises of criminals.
You can watch Robin's speech by clicking here
AS Aberconwy yn talu teyrnged i’r camau a gymerwyd gan Heddlu Gogledd Cymru yn erbyn rhwydweithiau llinellau cyffuriau
Mae Robin Millar, AS Aberconwy, wedi talu teyrnged i ddewrder ac ymroddiad swyddogion Heddlu Gogledd Cymru wrth frwydro yn erbyn troseddwyr sy’n gweithredu rhwydweithiau cyffuriau narcotig anghyfreithlon, a elwir hefyd yn llinellau cyffuriau, ledled Gogledd Cymru.
Wrth siarad yn ystod dadl yn y Senedd am effeithiau defnyddio cyffuriau anghyfreithlon ar gymunedau lleol, tynnodd Robin sylw at waith Heddlu Gogledd Cymru drwy ddweud:
“Rwy’n talu teyrnged i swyddogion dewr yr heddlu ledled Gogledd Cymru sy’n gweithio bob awr o’r dydd i geisio tarfu ar weithrediadau’r llinellau cyffuriau hyn, a’u cau lawr yn y pendraw.”
Aeth Robin ymlaen i ddweud:
“Rwyf am dynnu sylw’n benodol at waith rhyfeddol Tîm Intercept, tîm sy’n gwasanaethu’r rhanbarth cyfan, ac fe’i sefydlwyd i fynd i’r afael â throseddu cyfundrefnol a gangiau cyffuriau ledled Gogledd Cymru.
“Ym mis Mawrth eleni yn unig, maen nhw wedi arestio 16 o bobl am amrywiaeth o droseddau, wedi atafaelu dros 100 o ‘wraps’ cyffuriau Dosbarth A, 40 bag o gyffuriau Dosbarth B a £5000 mewn arian parod. Mae’r swyddogion wedi gweithredu gwarantau, wedi stopio sawl cerbyd ac wedi arestio pobl sy’n gysylltiedig â bod ym meddiant cyffuriau a reolir, pobl sy’n yfed ac yn gyrru ar gyffuriau a throseddau gyrru eraill.”
Wrth dynnu sylw at gamau gweithredu’r heddlu yn erbyn gweithrediadau llinellau cyffuriau, dywedodd Robin:
“Mae’n cymryd gwir ddewrder ac ymroddiad i gyflawni’r math hwn o berfformiad ac mae’r gwaith o amddiffyn y cyhoedd yn amhrisiadwy. A dweud y gwir, maen nhw’n glod i’r cymunedau maen nhw’n eu gwasanaethu yng Ngogledd Cymru.”
Ar ôl cydnabod rôl bwysig yr heddlu i gau elfen gyflenwi cyffuriau anghyfreithlon pwysleisiodd Robin hefyd y rôl bwysig y mae’n rhaid i gymunedau a grwpiau cymunedol ei chwarae wrth ddelio ag ochr alw’r fasnach gyffuriau.
Gan adleisio geiriau uwch swyddog yr heddlu, dywedodd: ‘Nid yw arestio pawb yn mynd i ddatrys y broblem’.
Gan ddefnyddio’r enghraifft o ffurfio ‘posse’ yn yr hen ffilmiau cowboi, anogodd gymunedau a grwpiau cymunedol i gofio eu rôl ochr yn ochr ag asiantaethau gorfodi’r gyfraith a chymryd perchnogaeth dros ddarparu llwybrau cadarnhaol i bobl ifanc. Mae bod yn effro i arwyddion cynnar o gysylltiad gangiau, darparu modelau rôl amgen – a theulu a chartref cariadus – i gyd yn allweddol i sicrhau gwell canlyniadau bywyd i bobl ifanc.
Yr oedd hefyd yn herio Gweinidog yr Heddlu i helpu i ddarparu adnoddau ar gyfer yr ymdrechion hyn fel rhan o ymateb cyfannol i’r broblem gyffuriau, fel y gall pobl ifanc wireddu eu dyheadau heb ildio i atyniadau ac addewidion ffug gan droseddwyr.