19 arrested during week of action targeting county lines gangs 

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

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 teams carried out warrants at addresses in Dacorum, Hertsmere, Stevenage, Watford, Welwyn Hatfield and Luton. Nineteen individuals were arrested in total, with eight of those being charged and remanded into custody. More than £9,000 in cash, large quantities of class A and class B drugs and several weapons were recovered during the week. Thirteen individuals were safeguarded during the operations, including 11 minors. 

Those arrested from Stevenage were:

A 21-year-old man from Stevenage, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of 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 16-year-old boy from Stevenage, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Others include:

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 Edgeware, 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 29-year-old man from Welwyn Garden City, arrested on possession with intent to 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 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 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.

"The operations involved a number of different teams across the force, working with our partners to target 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 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."

Those charged were: 

Tyler Ashbolt, aged 23, from Cleveland Crescent, Borehamwood, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Harry Giles, aged 24, of no fixed address, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Kerrell Bayley, aged 21, from Cooperdale Court, Watford, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Harry Mockett, aged 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, aged 24, from Thirsk Road, Borehamwood, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Georgia Ames, aged 23, from Thirsk Road, Borehamwood, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.

Nderim Hoxha, aged 23, from Liverpool Road, Watford, was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Detective Inspector Kelly Gray, county lines coordinator at the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, said: "Significant work continues to take place across the region to target those operating drugs lines and to provide safeguarding and support to the vulnerable and young people who are often being exploited.

"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.

"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.

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, made over 380 arrests and seized more than £390,000 in cash. This has led to numerous county lines gangs being dismantled and offenders sentenced to more than 490 years in prison in total.

What is county lines?

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. 

Help and support for those with drug addiction:

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.