22 arrested during operation targeting county lines gangs in Stevenage this week

The operation was led by Hertfordshire Constabulary's Tactical Resources, supported by detectives on the Local Policing Command, Stevenage Safer Neighbourhood teams, and the Serious and Organised Crime Command, who carried out warrants targeting gangs involved in drug dealing.

The teams carried out warrants at addresses in Stevenage, Luton and London, arresting 22 individuals and recovering cash, class A drugs and suspected ammunition. 

Those charged and remanded to custody were: 

Riley Mole, aged 21, of Dovedale, Ware, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A

Shane Gudgeon, aged 28, of Severn Way, Stevenage, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A

Devon Redhead, aged 24, of Hitchin Road, Arlesey, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A

Jacob Coleman, aged 20, of no fixed address, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A

Lewis Barnet, aged 24, of Alexandra Road, Hemel Hempstead, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A

Tyler Brown, aged 24, of Shephall Way, Stevenage, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A

Cerys Jarman, aged 19, of Penn Road, Stevenage, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A

Daniel Spicer, aged 26, of Silam Road, Stevenage, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A

Harry Byron, aged 27, of , Stevenage, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A

Nelson Barradas, aged 18 of The Greenway, Uxbridge, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A

Paul Magee, aged 52, of Vardon Road, Stevenage, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A

Shirley Comas, aged 40, of Ditchmore Lane, Stevenage, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A

A 17-year-old boy from Edgeware, charged and remanded to court with being concerned in the supply of class A

All were released whilst investigations continue.

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".

Those arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs were: 

A 29-year-old man from Stevenage

A 51-year-old man from Stevenage 

A 22-year-old man from Stevenage 

A 40-year-old man from Letchworth  

A 26-year-old man from Stevenage 

A 32-year-old man from Stevenage 

A 20-year-old man from Luton  

A 21-year-old man from Luton

A 31-year-old man from Stevenage 

Tactical Resources Detective Chief Inspector, Mark Clawson, 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."

The arrrests follow a series of warrants that were carried out targeting county lines drugs gangs in Stevenage, on Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24.