The variable and evolving nature of ‘cuckooing’ as a form of criminal exploitation in street level drug markets

Spicer, Jack; Moyle, Leah; Coomber, Ross

Abstract

A form of criminal exploitation rarely mentioned in the academic literature has recently emerged, evolved and taken meaningful hold in the UK. Hundreds of cases of ‘cuckooing’ have been reported, where heroin and crack cocaine dealers associated with the so-called ‘County Lines’ supply methodology have taken over the homes of local residents and created outposts to facilitate their supply operations in satellite locations. Dominant narratives surrounding this practice have stressed its exploitative nature and the vulnerabilities of those involved. Combining qualitative data from two studies, this paper critically analyses the model of cuckooing and the experiences of those affected. In turn it explores the impact of County Lines on affected areas and local populations, a topic that has received little academic scrutiny. Four typologies of cuckooing are constructed, highlighting its variance and complexity. Findings also suggest it to be a growing method of criminal exploitation beyond drug supply with a possible burgeoning presence being realised internationally.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 3, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 21, 2019
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 5, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 19, 2020
• Journal: Trends in Organized Crime
• Print ISSN: 1084-4791
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Pages: 301-323
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-019-09368-5
• Keywords: cuckooing, drug supply, drug markets, exploitation, violence
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1492608
• Publisher URL: http://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-019-09368-5
• Additional Information: Additional Information : The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12117-019-09368-5. It is hosted here under terms of the CC-BY license.
• Contract Date: Jul 5, 2019