Two Hitchin drug dealers who played key roles in supplying cocaine and heroin across North Herts have been jailed for a combined eight years.

Omareo Bryant, 22, and Kamil Tunnicliffe, 27, were sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, August 28, following an investigation into the "Tariq" County Lines operation.

Hertfordshire Constabulary's Serious and Organised Investigation Unit (SOCIU) carried out search warrants at addresses in Hitchin and Holwell in September 2025.

Police seized around £5,000 worth of Class A and B drugs, more than £10,000 in cash, a viable firearm, three imitation firearms, ammunition, a crossbow and four machetes.

Two arrests were made during the operation, which was supported by officers from the Operational Support Group.

Bryant, of Hitchin, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison for possession of a firearm.

He was also handed concurrent sentences of five months for possession of ammunition, 27 months for possession with intent to supply cocaine, 27 months for possession with intent to supply heroin, 12 months for possession with intent to supply cannabis and 12 months for possession of criminal property relating to cash.

Tunnicliffe, also of Hitchin, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

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He received concurrent sentences of 20 months for being concerned in the supply of heroin and six months for being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Detective Constable Jake Barnard, from SOCIU, said: "These men were involved in running the 'Tariq' line that was supplying drugs to the North Herts area.

"This operation was the culmination of months of work which targeted the drug line, that had been supplying cocaine and heroin in Hitchin and surrounding areas.

"These sentences will have a significant effect on the drug supply and related crime in the surrounding communities as will the removal of several real and imitation weapons.

"We continue to rely on the public to be our eyes and ears. If you have any information about drug dealing, please report it — together we can help keep Hertfordshire safe."