HITCHIN: A 22-year-old man from Hitchin has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs after a 'county lines' police operation saw 25 people arrested.

Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out a week of operations targeting county lines drugs gangs, between Monday, March 7 and Sunday, March 13, as part of the National County Lines Intensification Week.

During the week the Operation Mantis team, working with the Operational Intelligence Team, Operational Support Group and local crimes units carried out warrants across the county targeting the gangs involved in drug dealing.

Twenty-five individuals were arrested in total, with six of those being charged and remanded into custody.

More than £25,000 in cash, large quantities of class A drugs and a firearm were recovered during week.

Those charged were:

Adam Jaylani, 23, from Orange Hill Road, Edgeware, charged and remanded for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

Ryan Sherry, 20, from Tenby Drive, Luton, charged and remanded for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs

Ashub Zafar, 21, from Chape Walk, London, charged and remanded for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

Terrance Furby, 21, from Dacre Gardens, Borehamwood, charged and remanded for possession of a firearm

Jafa Al-Mossawy, 19, from Ramillies Road, London, charged and remanded for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

Iyesha Mahmood, 23, of, Scotland Street, Birmingham, charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Those arrested were:

A 22-year-old man from Hitchin, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 23-year-old man from Luton, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

Two 43-year-old men from Welwyn Garden City, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 41-year-old man from Luton, arrested on suspicion of assault

A 42-year-old man from Luton, arrested on suspicion of failing to appear at court

A 20-year-old man from London, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 20-year-old female from Stevenage, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 41-year-old man from Essex, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 30-year-old man from Baldock, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 29-year-old female from Baldock, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 19-year-old man from Borehamwood, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 25-year-old man from Hatfield, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 31-year-old man from Luton, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 22-year-old man from Luton, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 22-year-old man from Luton, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 19-year-old man from Luton, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 27-year-old man from Bedford, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 19-year-old man from Stevenage, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

A 21-year-old man from Borehamwood, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs

All were released 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 Alex Willcox, 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.

"It involved a number of different teams across the Constabulary coming together to target the perpetrators of county lines drug dealing in Hertfordshire and I appreciate all their hard work and support. We have made many significant arrests, seizing large amounts of drugs and cash in the process, 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 organisations to operate in our towns, identifying new gangs and targeting them early before they get a foothold and serious offences can occur.

"Police forces across the country took part in the coordinated week of action to target those who are involved in drugs supply and exploiting vulnerable people. We continue to work with partners at national and local level, to target these gangs and also 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."