Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out a week of operations targeting county lines drugs gangs, between Monday 25 November and Sunday 1 December, as part of a national county lines week of action.

During the week, the Operation Mantis team, supported by Hertfordshire's Operational Support Group, neighbourhood policing teams, Scorpion and local crime units, carried out warrants targeting gangs involved in drug dealing.  

The teams carried out warrants at addresses in Croxley Green, Hatfield, Stevenage and Watford. Twenty-four people were arrested in total, with four of those being charged and remanded into custody. More than £30k in cash and heroin, cocaine, crystal meth and cannabis with a street value of more than £300k was also seized. Officers also recovered 51 phones, a knife, machete and a gas-powered revolver during searches.

Thirty-four exploited individuals, including eight minors were safeguarded and 15 cuckooed addresses were also discovered. 

Those charged with Class A drug supply offences were:

• Janaya Bidewell, aged 29, of Grove Crescent Croxley Green
• Marcus McDaull, aged 31, of Walton Drive, Harrow
• Lee Shephard, aged 47, Campion Road, Hatfield
• Christopher Joseph, aged 47, Appspond Lane, St Albans

 Those arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and released on bail while the investigation continues were:

• A 42-year-old man from Watford
• A 43-year-old woman from Hitchin
• A 56-year-old man from Hitchin
• A 41-year-old man, from Buntingford
• A 47-year-old woman from Welwyn Garden City
• A 36-year-old man from Codicote
• A 39-year-old man from Hitchin
• A 48-year-old from Hitchin
• A 51-year-old man from Watford
• A 23-year-old man from Watford
• A 42-year-old woman from Stevenage
• An 18-year-old man from Stevenage
• An 18-year-old woman from Stevenage
• A 55-year-old man from Baldock
• A 34-year-old man from Watford
• A 57-year-old woman from Watford
• A 23-year-old man from Enfield
• A 35-year-old man from Maple Cross
• A 47-year-old man from SE London

 A 41-year-old man from Watford, was also arrested as he was wanted on recall to prison.

 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 Chief Inspector Mark Clawson, from the 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 Mantis team received much appreciated support from several different teams across the force, enabling us to execute so many warrants.

"During the week we targeted gangs who were active in areas across the county, making many significant arrests, seizing drugs, cash and weapons in the process, which would have otherwise made these gangs more of a threat to our communities. We also identified many vulnerable children and adults who were being exploited by criminals who are now being supported.

"Our work continues all year round, not just during these weeks of action and we are making it very difficult for these gangs to operate in our county."

You can report information about drug crime online or speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat. You also call the non-emergency number 101. If a crime is in progress call 999.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.

What is Operation Mantis?

The Operation Mantis team was launched in 2018 and is made up of officers who specialise in targeting serious and organised crime. Since May 2019 the team has executed hundreds of search warrants, more than 460 arrests and seized over £620,000 in cash. This has led to numerous county lines gangs being dismantled and offenders sentenced to more than 790 years in prison in total.

County lines is the name given to describe drug dealing, which involves criminal networks from urban areas expanding their activities into smaller towns and rural areas. 

It often involves the exploitation of children, as gangs use young people and those with mental health or addiction problems to transport drugs and money. These gangs establish a base in the location they are targeting, often taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults by force or coercion in a practice referred to as 'cuckooing'.

Dealers typically use a single phone line to facilitate the supply of Class A drugs to customers. The phone line is highly valuable and is protected through violence and intimidation.

What is Cuckooing?

Cuckooing is the term used when gangs establish a base in the location they are targeting, often taking over the homes of vulnerable adults by force or coercion.

How to spot the signs that cuckooing might be happening in your neighbourhood:

• Lots of different people coming and going from an address during the day and at night.
• Suspicious smells coming from the property.
• Windows covered or curtains closed all of the time.
• Cars pulling up to or near to the house for a short period of time.
• An increase in anti-social behaviour around the property.

If someone you know has a drug problem, they can get help by contacting Frank on 0800 77 66 00 or visiting www.talktofrank.com.