Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out a week of operations targeting county lines drugs gangs, between Monday 4 and Sunday 10 March, as part of a national county lines week of action.
During the week, the Operation Mantis team, supported by Hertfordshire’s Operational Support Group, Scorpion and local crime units, carried out warrants targeting gangs involved in drug dealing.
The teams carried out warrants at addresses in Bishop’s Stortford, Borehamwood, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Stevenage, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, Watford and Luton. Twenty-two individuals were arrested in total, with one of those being charged and remanded into custody. More than £6,000 in cash, class A and class B drugs with a street value of more than £30,000, pepper spray and large knives were recovered during the week. Two people were safeguarded during the operations.
Zaheen Hasib, aged 26, of Old Bedford Road, Luton, was arrested and then charged for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (cocaine & heroin).
Those arrested were:
A 19-year-old man from Watford for suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin).A 47-year-old man, from South West London, on suspicion of being concerned in supplying Class A drugs (crack cocaine), taking a vehicle without consent and driving with no insurance.A 23-year-old man, from Hemel Hempstead, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A & B drugs (cocaine & cannabis).A 52-year-old woman, from Watford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (cannabis).A 29-year-old man from Stevenage, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (heroin & crack cocaine).A 21-year-old man from Hatfield, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (heroin & crack cocaine).A 22-year-old man from Hertford, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (heroin).A 42-year-old woman from Hatfield, on suspicion of importation of Class B drugs (cannabis).A 19-year-old man from Watford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin).A 39-year-old man from Bishop’s Stortford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine).A 43-year-old woman from Bishop’s Stortford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine).A 44-year-old man from East London, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine).A 31-year-old man from Borehamwood, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.A 31-year-old man from South West London, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.A 26-year-old man from South East London, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.A 23-year-old man from South East London, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.A 18-year-old man from South East London, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.A 15-year-old boy from Rickmansworth, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (MDMA) and theft of a motor vehicle.A 23-year-old man from Watford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (cannabis) and possession of offensive weapon (pepper spray).A 35-year-old man from Enfield, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (crack cocaine).A 22-year-old man from East London, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (ketamine).
All were released on bail whilst investigations continue.
Forces across the UK carried out similar operations with support from the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC) and Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, as part of a national drive to disrupt and arrest those involved in county lines.
Detective Inspector Jon Leak, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: “This latest week of action is part of our continuing drive to disrupt and dismantle county lines gangs operating in the county. The operations involved several teams across the force, working with our partners to target county lines drug dealing in Hertfordshire and their support has been crucial during these operations.
“During the week we targeted several gangs from outside of the county who were cuckooing addresses in our communities, making some significant arrests, seizing drugs, cash and weapons in the process. We will continue to take a very proactive approach, working with our partners in other forces and national agencies to make it difficult for these crime groups to operate in our towns, identifying new gangs and targeting them early before they get a foothold and serious offences can occur.”
Anyone with information on drug dealing or gang related crime is asked to contact Hertfordshire Constabulary via the non-emergency number 101 or report information online.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form (opens in new window). No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.
