Three people have been charged following a police operation targeting a suspected "county lines" drug gang supplying Class A drugs into North Hertfordshire and Stevenage.

Officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out warrants in Bedford and Arlesey on Tuesday 31 March after a two-month investigation led by its Serious & Organised Crime Investigations Unit (SOCIU).

Supported by specialist teams, including the Child Sexual Exploitation Unit and the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit, police raided two addresses and seized Class A drugs, mobile phones, bladed weapons and more than £2,000 in cash.

Who has been charged

• Jordan Cudjoe, 32, formerly of Bruthwaite Green, Bedford, was arrested upon release from prison and charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin). He has been remanded in custody.
• David Simpson, 39, of Rendlesham Walk, Bedford, was charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply. He pleaded guilty at Hatfield Remand Court and will be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court.
• Maria Conroy, 46, of High Street, Arlesey, was charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of criminal property. She has been released on bail to appear at Stevenage Magistrates' Court.

Police warning to public

Detective Sergeant Chris Cowell, from the County Lines Investigations Unit, said the operation targeted a drug line suspected of supplying crack cocaine and heroin across the area. He said: "These drug lines are run by organised crime groups who use violence and commit a whole range of crimes that pose a real threat to the community.

"Our investigations depend on information from members of the public. Any information you can provide, no matter how small it may seem, could help us identify and apprehend drug dealers."