A county lines drugs operation has seen 19 individuals arrested - after £9,000 in cash, large quantities of class A and class B drugs and several weapons were recovered.

Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out a week of operations targeting county lines drugs gangs, between Monday, February 27, and Sunday, March 5, as part of a national county lines week of action.

Read more:

Thirteen individuals were safeguarded during the operations, including 11 minors.

During the week, the Operation Mantis team, working with the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), Operational Intelligence Team, Operational Support Group and local crime units, carried out warrants targeting gangs involved in drug dealing.

The Comet: Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out a week of operations targeting county lines drugs gangs.Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out a week of operations targeting county lines drugs gangs. (Image: Herts police)

The Operation Mantis team was launched in 2018 and is made up of officers who specialise in targeting serious and organised crime.

The teams carried out warrants at addresses in Hertsmere, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield, Watford, Dacorum and Luton.

Nineteen individuals were arrested in total, with eight of those being charged and remanded into custody.

Over £9,000 in cash, large quantities of class A and class B drugs and several weapons were recovered during the week. 

The Comet: More than £9,000 in cash, large quantities of class A and class B drugs and several weapons were recovered during the week.More than £9,000 in cash, large quantities of class A and class B drugs and several weapons were recovered during the week. (Image: Herts police)

Those charged were:

  • Tyler Ashbolt, 23, from Cleveland Crescent, Borehamwood, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • Harry Giles, 24, of no fixed address, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • Kerrell Bayley, 21, from Cooperdale Court, Watford, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • Harry Mockett, 24, from Marvin Court, Elstree, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • Mohammed Rahim, aged 28, from Trinity Road, Luton, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • Sonni Badgery, 24, from Thirsk Road, Borehamwood, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • Georgia Ames, 23, from Thirsk Road, Borehamwood, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.
  • Nderim Hoxha, 23, from Liverpool Road, Watford, was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

The Comet: The teams carried out warrants at addresses in Dacorum, Hertsmere, Stevenage, Watford, Welwyn Hatfield and Luton.The teams carried out warrants at addresses in Dacorum, Hertsmere, Stevenage, Watford, Welwyn Hatfield and Luton. (Image: Herts police)

Those arrested were:

  • A 21-year-old man from Stevenage, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • A 22-year-old man from Hatfield, arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
  • A 22-year-old man from Edgware, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • A 23-year-old man from Hatfield, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • A 23-year-old man from Borehamwood, arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
  • A 53-year-old man from Stevenage, arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs.
  • A 46-year-old woman from Stevenage, arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs.
  • A 29-year-old man from Welwyn Garden City, arrested on possession with intent to supply of class A drugs.
  • A 16-year-old boy from Stevenage, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • A 24-year-old man from Welwyn Garden City, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
  • A 14-year-old boy from Hemel Hempstead, arrested on suspicion possession of an offensive weapon.

All were released while investigations continue.

The Comet: All arrested have been released whilst investigations continue.All arrested have been released whilst investigations continue. (Image: Herts police)

Forces across the UK carried out similar operations as part of a national drive to disrupt and arrest those involved in county lines.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Clawson, 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.

“We have made many significant arrests, seizing large amounts of drugs and cash in the process and doing substantial damage to these gangs’ operations.

“We 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.

“We’re also working to raise awareness of county lines among young people, parents, teachers and other members of the community to help protect the vulnerable and prevent them from getting involved in gang activity.”

Detective Inspector Kelly Gray, county lines coordinator at the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, said: “Nearly 150 people were arrested across eastern England during the intensification period, with roughly 2,000 wraps of heroin and cocaine seized along with cannabis and illicit prescription medicines. Weapons including knives and a firearm were also found and seized.

                                                                                                         

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to our newsletter.

                                                                                                         

“A clear indicator of the scale of criminality involved is that more than £85,000 in cash was also seized during the operation. However, we frequently find that those profiting most from county drugs lines often keep their hands clean of the running of drugs and instead exploit vulnerable people to do their dirty work for them.

“That’s why we continue to urge parents and carers to look for the signs that their child may be being exploited for criminal gain.”

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 at www.herts.police.uk/report.

You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through crimestoppers-uk.org.