Stevenage: 22 arrested in Herts police county lines operation

Police raided a series of properties earlier this week, on Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24.

Thirteen individuals based in Stevenage were arrested, as well as one based in Letchworth and one based in Arlesey.

Police also recovered cash, class A drugs, and suspected ammunition.

22 people were arrested during the police operation. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

The full list of people charged and remanded to custody is as follows:

• Tyler Brown, 24, of Shephall Way, Stevenage, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Harry Byron, 27, of Stevenage, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Shirley Comas, 40, of Ditchmore Lane, Stevenage, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Shane Gudgeon, 28, of Severn Way, Stevenage, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Cerys Jarman, 19, of Penn Road, Stevenage, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Paul Magee, 52, of Vardon Road, Stevenage, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Daniel Spicer, 26, of Silam Road, Stevenage, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Devon Redhead, 24, of Hitchin Road, Arlesey, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Lewis Barnet, 24, of Alexandra Road, Hemel Hempstead, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Riley Mole, 21, of Dovedale, Ware, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Nelson Barradas, 18, of The Greenway, Uxbridge, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• Jacob Coleman, 20, of no fixed address, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• A 17-year-old boy, from Edgware, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A further nine men were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, and have been released while investigations continue.

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Six of those nine are from Stevenage, aged 22, 26, 29, 31, 32 and 51. One aged 40, is from Letchworth, and a further two, aged 20 and 21, are from Luton.

Superintendent Ken Townsend, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Local Policing Command, said: “This latest operation is part of our continuing drive to disrupt and dismantle county lines gangs operating in the county.

"The operation involved a number of different teams across the force, working with our partners to target drug dealing and associated crime in Hertfordshire.

“We have made great advances in the battle against drugs in the county over recent years, and have again made some significant arrests, seizing drugs and cash and breaking up criminal networks in the process.

“We will continue to take a very proactive approach to gang crime, working with our partners in other forces and national agencies, to make it difficult for these crime groups to operate in our towns.”

Thirteen of the people arrested during the operation are from Stevenage. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Mark Clawson, Tactical Resources Detective Chief Inspector, said: “We continue to target offenders that are involved in the drug supply networks bringing drugs into our towns.

"Those involved often set up operations in the homes of vulnerable people and bring violence, drugs and crime to our local communities.

"Young and vulnerable people are often the ones who suffer the most, being drawn into criminal activities, drugs and even sexual exploitation.

“We have made a significant impact on the county lines networks operating in the town, significantly disrupting gang activities and halting the supply of drugs.

"We continue to work with our local partners 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 being pulled into this kind of activity.”