The Story

Sarah Jones, Policing minister outlining government strategy and new law proposals to tackle county lines. Conversations cover how gangs adapt their business models, the rise of social-media lines and shifting drug types. Debate over proposed offences, safeguarding risks and coordination between forces is highlighted.

A former teenage dealer recounts being lured into county lines trafficking and locked in a trap house. He describes travel across towns to move drugs, the money and status that kept him hooked, and the violence that followed. He explains how intervention, a stabbing and reflection made him see the exploitation. He offers warnings for parents and young people at risk.

Rachel Baldwin, a CPS lawyer who explains how the Modern Slavery Act and the National Referral Mechanism work. Mike Brocken, a senior sergeant who runs Operation Sentry tackling county lines. They discuss children running whole drug lines, how safeguards and legal protections can be used or misused, and police operations and prosecutions aimed at disrupting organised crime.

Today we go inside Operation Titan, as North Yorkshire Police fight back against county lines drugs gangs. But with each line the police shut down, another pops up in its place, sometimes within days. The Sunday Times' northern editor David Collins investigates how to break the cycle. This is episode two of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing, running in audio, video, print and digital from The Times and The Sunday Times.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryRead more: Drug dealers use anti-slavery law to escape prosecution | I was a county lines drug runner. I tried to quit, then I was stabbedWatch: School-age kingpins: why children now hold the key to county linesHost: David Collins.Producers: Kate Lamble and Taryn SiegelExecutive producers: Tim Walklate and Dan BoxWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comPhoto: Getty Images.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Page, senior North Yorkshire detective tackling rising violence linked to county lines. Detective Adam Heatley, 25-year organised crime investigator who broke the Deer family network. They describe early-morning raids, stash tactics and how removing a crime family created a violent power vacuum. The conversation follows policing challenges, county lines mechanics and the use of vulnerable young couriers.

After years in hiding, The Sunday Times has obtained images of Christy and Daniel Kinahan, leaders of the all-powerful Kinahan cartel, living freely in Dubai. They are some of the most wanted criminals in the world. So why aren’t they in custody?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: John Mooney, Investigative reporter, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Taryn Siegel.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: The world is looking for the Kinahan drug lords. We found themFurther listening: Gourmet gangster: Could Kinahan be caught by his Google reviews?Clips: 971 FC, Irish Gangland, FM Boxing, Storyful.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Paul Hunter, a medicine professor and meningitis expert, explains clinical causes and containment challenges. Eleanor Hayward, health editor at The Times, recounts the Kent nightclub cluster and public health response. They discuss how a club night became a super-spreader event, who was affected, vaccine supply issues and the urgent tracing and antibiotics efforts.

Tom Ball, a frontline reporter in northern Israel, outlines military buildups and tactical aims. Louise Callaghan, a Middle East correspondent reporting from Lebanon, recounts destruction, displacement and civilian suffering. They discuss rising violence, preparations for a ground assault, Hezbollah’s role and popularity, and the humanitarian toll across border communities.

George Grylls, Washington correspondent for The Times with frontline reporting experience, weighs in on US strategy toward Iran. He unpacks the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. He explains threats to shipping from drones, missiles and mines. He discusses limits of military escorts, diplomatic alternatives and risks of wider regional escalation.

Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor at The Times who reported from Cuba, and Matthew Campbell, Foreign Features Editor at The Sunday Times who reported on the ground, discuss life under fuel and medicine shortages. They describe blackouts, empty pharmacies, dollar divides and fears of US action. They trace historical US-Cuba tensions and consider what diplomatic or coercive options might mean for ordinary Cubans.