More than 1,000 people have been arrested and dozens of suspected victims of modern slavery identified in a crackdown on the drug trade in Britain, Reuters reported while quoting the police.

Police said 69 possible trafficking victims were referred to government bodies for support following a series of raids this month to disrupt the so-called County Lines drug trade, by which criminal gangs move drugs from cities into rural areas.

The operation was the biggest of its kind to-date and led to the seizure of more than 1 million pounds worth of drugs and at least 500,000 pounds in cash, police said.

Concerns are growing about a rise in child trafficking during the coronavirus pandemic.