The numbers of children being ruthlessly exploited by ‘county lines‘ drugs gangs are at record levels, the Daily Record can reveal. County lines operate where criminals from major cities have expanded their trafficking operations into smaller towns often in rural areas.
Organised crime groups have been known to use children as mules to transport the drugs long distances or to store or guard them. Shock figures released by Police Scotland under Freedom of Information (FOI) show a sharp rise in the numbers of children falling victim in the last six years.
In the 12 month period from April 2020 to March 2021 there were six cases of children under the age of 16 being ‘county line’ victims. However that number had risen to 39 in 2025/26.
Meanwhile the number of young people between 16 and 17 falling victim to the drugs gangs rose from from 16 to 65 in the same period.
Overall there were 104 county line victims recorded by police last year as being under the age of 18, compared to 22 in 2020/21, an increase of almost 500 percent.
Michele Janes, the Director of Barnardo’s Scotland said: “The reported increase from Police Scotland in the number of children being identified and recorded at risk of criminal exploitation by so-called ‘county lines’ gangs is very concerning.
View 5 ImagesMichele Janes from Barnardos(Image: HANDOUT)
“County lines exploitation refers to a violent and exploitative form of drug distribution where children or young people are being forced to carry out criminal activity through coercion or deception.
“Serious organised crime gangs take advantage of the fact that the consequences for children or young people – from a criminal justice perspective – will potentially be significantly lower than for themselves or another adult.
“Perpetrators will use various tactics to groom children or young people such as giving them money, drugs, clothing etc., in order to get a child or young person to comply.”
“The child or young person involved does not always recognise themselves as a victim and often end up with a criminal record, despite the fact that they have been blackmailed, coerced and exploited.”
The term ‘county lines’ comes from the phone numbers criminals use to move the drugs from one location to another. The FOI figures are taken from Police Scotland referrals to the National Referral Mechanism, a Home Office body, that identifies and helps victims of human trafficking and slavery.
In the same report Police Scotland recorded 312 young people under the age of 18 who have become involved in county lines either as victims or perpetrators since 2021.
In February MSP’s were told by child exploitation expert Professor Alexis Jay that criminal gangs are targeting vulnerable children outside schools, to transport drugs and weapons as part of county lines activity. She also said sexual violence is increasingly used to control the youngsters.
The following month Police Scotland arrested 43 suspects during a blitz on county lines drugs gangs. Officers also seized nearly £1million of narcotics, large sums in cash and weapons in raids across the country.
View 5 ImagesAlexis Jay(Image: Lennox Herald)
Thirty eight vulnerable people — including nine children — were found to be caught up in the sinister mob operations. The courts have also been cracking down on county lines operators.
Two men Dean Alford, 31, and Rory Morgan, 32 were jailed for a combined total of more that eight years last July after turning two flats in Aberdeen into drug supply dens including cocaine.
Lesley Gordon, Director of Criminal Exploitation at Action for Children, said:“The increase in the number of children being referred as at risk of criminal exploitation is concerning – though, sadly, not surprising.
View 5 ImagesRory Morgan(Image: Police Scotland)
View 5 ImagesDean Alford (Image: Police Scotland)
“These figures reflect what we have been seeing on the ground for many years. “The criminal exploitation of children, including through county lines, is a growing and complex form of abuse. It is vital we also recognise these numbers are likely only the tip of the iceberg.
“Some of this rise may be due to improved awareness and better identification by police and partners who we have been working with. But significant gaps remain, especially without the lack of a clear, statutory definition of child criminal exploitation which continues to present challenges.
“Ultimately, we need a system that consistently recognises these young people as victims as well as perpetrators, and ensures they receive the protection and support they urgently need.”
Chief Superintendent Sarah Taylor of Police Scotland said: “Safeguarding vulnerable young people who are at risk of human trafficking, child sexual exploitation or being drawn into criminal activity by county lines drug dealers is a priority for Police Scotland.
“We are committed to working with a variety of partners to identify and protect young people at risk and bring anyone committing criminal offences against them to justice.
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“There has been a considerable increase in awareness of these offences due to greater public awareness of these kind of offences and we will continue to act on all referrals made to us.”