Linesman for the county: a case study of the implementation and management of a county line drugs distribution network.

This article explores the dynamics of mid-level drug distribution within the United Kingdom’s County Lines networks, drawing on qualitative research involving semi-structured interviews with individuals engaged in illicit drug markets. The analysis situates the lived experiences of mid-level distributors within broader sociological frameworks, including Bourdieu’s concept of habitus and Anderson’s Code of the Street, to interrogate how structural inequality, cultural capital, and criminal innovation converge in sustaining these networks. County Lines, characterised by the movement of drugs from urban hubs into rural and coastal communities, rely heavily on the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, often involving coercion, violence, and manipulation. This research highlights the critical role of mid-level actors who bridge the gap between street-level dealers and large-scale suppliers, and whose practices reflect a strategic yet chaotic enterprise model that mirrors—and distorts—legitimate business practices.

Through empirical insights and first-person narratives, particularly that of “Albie,” the article reveals how tactics such as “taxing,” “cuckooing,” and kidnapping are deployed as mechanisms of control and economic advancement. The findings underscore the need to reconceptualise criminal culpability in these contexts, recognising the blurred boundaries between victimhood and offending. The study calls for nuanced policy responses that move beyond enforcement to address the socio-economic drivers of drug market involvement. By shedding light on the internal logics of County Lines networks, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of contemporary illicit drug economies and the evolving forms of criminal entrepreneurship in the UK.

Keywords: County Lines, mid-level drug distribution, exploitation, street capital, qualitative research.