Introduction

The standard story on county lines emphasizes the exploitation of children by adults and the role of women as victims and passive participants within criminal economies. Our case studies offer new insights into the participation of adults in county lines, including women who fully embrace the life of deviant entrepreneurship. The absence of legitimate opportunity in communities already punctuated with drug crime and addiction pushes people to start or join a county line, while at the same time the prospect of fast and easy money and an escape from the doldrums and dangers of city life pulls them in.

£500 a week

With Grease now settled in A-Town, it was time to build his drugs line. He started by calling his mother’s landline phone and asking to speak to his aunt. He did not really need to speak to her, but that was his cover to get to her grandson, Robert. Direct contact with Robert would have seemed ‘sus’ that Grease was up to something – his aunt was well aware of Grease’s wheeling and dealing. She had always liked Grease, but she did not want her 16-year-old grandson following in his footsteps.

“All right wee man, happening?”, said Grease into the phone.

“All right Grease”, replied the young voice of Robert.

“You been doing good, aye? Your gran was saying you’ve been getting into a wee bit of bother round the scheme, aye?”, inquired Grease. Rumour was that Robert had been running with the wrong crowd in the public housing complex lately.

“No really, mate. She’s freaking out. You know the way it is.”

“Sound. You need any cunt sorted out, though, just give your big cuz a call, aye?”

“Aye Grease, no problem.”

Enough small talk, Grease got to the point. “What you been doing anyways for money? You want to come out and see me out here for a bit, eh?”