Two charged during operation targeting Stevenage county lines gang

Hertfordshire Constabulary arrested two men in Walthamstow during an operation targeting county lines drugs gangs.

The operation was led by Hertfordshire's specialist county lines team, Operation Mantis, and supported by the Operational Support Group and Scorpion units.

Chief Inspector for Stevenage Graeme Walsingham said: "This operation is part of the multi-agency Build a Better Bedwell Scheme, which has been launched in the Bedwell area and aims to take out county lines gangs, prevent violence and the flow of harmful drugs, and cut down on antisocial behaviour.

"Ongoing drug enforcement activity like this is key to keeping the area clear of drug related crime, so we can work with partners and the community to keep it out."

Two warrants were conducted, during which Donnell Willocks, aged 27, of Radbourne Crescent, East London and Khyien Corbett, aged 26, of Blackhorse Road, East London, were arrested and later charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Both men have been remanded into custody. 

Detective Sergeant Chris Cowell, from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: "This operation targeted the Max Line, which has been run in Stevenage by county lines gangs from London.

"This also forms part of our wider plans to drive gangs out of the town and keep them out by building a stronger more cohesive community. 

"We will continue to take a very proactive approach to targeting drug dealing in Stevenage, working with our partners in other agencies to make it difficult for these crime groups to operate, preventing new gangs becoming established and targeting them early before they get a foothold and serious offences can occur."