Four people from Watford have been arrested alongside 22 others across Hertfordshire and London, following a wave of county lines drug warrants being issued.

Arrests were made between Monday, March 4 and Sunday, March 10, as part of a national week of action against the organised crime groups.

Two 19-year-old men from Watford were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (heroin). 

Also from Watford, a 52-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man were detained on suspicion of possessing class B drugs (cannabis) with intent to supply and possession of offensive weapon (pepper spray) for the man.

Watford Observer: Heroin and cocaine were among the range of drug seized in the operation.Heroin and cocaine were among the range of drug seized in the operation. (Image: Hertfordshire Police)

Also among those arrested was a 15-year-old boy from Rickmansworth on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (MDMA) and theft of a motor vehicle.

They were all released on bail as inquiries continue, police said.

One 26-year-old man, Zaheen Hasib, of Old Bedford Road, Luton,  was charged for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine & heroin) out of the 22 total arrests.

Watford Observer: Crack cocaine was among the drug seized, which had an estimated value of over £30,000.Crack cocaine was among the drug seized, which had an estimated value of over £30,000. (Image: Hertfordshire Police)

Hertfordshire Detective Inspector Jon Leak, of the 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 several teams across the force, working with our partners to target county lines drug dealing in Hertfordshire and their support has been crucial during these operations.

The detective inspector said that the gangs from outside the county were “cuckooing” local addresses, or taking over the homes of vulnerable people by force or coercion to establish a local base.

Watford Observer: A photo of heroin wraps discovered by police in the county-wide wave of warrants.A photo of heroin wraps discovered by police in the county-wide wave of warrants. (Image: Hertfordshire Police)

He added: “We will continue to 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.”

Officers carried out warrants at addresses in Bishop’s Stortford, Borehamwood, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Stevenage, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, Watford and Luton. 

More than £6,000 in cash, class A and class B drugs estimated to be worth more than £30,000 on the street, pepper spray and large knives were seized during the operation.

Similar operations were carried out across the UK as part of a national effort to tackle country line drug gangs. 

The full list of arrests:

  • Zaheen Hasib, 26, of Old Bedford Road, Luton, arrested and charged for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine & heroin). 
  • A 19-year-old man from Watford for suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (heroin). 
  • A 52-year-old woman, from Watford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs (cannabis).
  • A 19-year-old man from Watford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (heroin).
  • A 23-year-old man from Watford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs (cannabis) and possession of offensive weapon (pepper spray).
  • A 15-year-old boy from Rickmansworth, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (MDMA) and theft of a motor vehicle.
  • A 23-year-old man, from Hemel Hempstead, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A & B drugs (cocaine & cannabis).
  • A 29-year-old man from Stevenage, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (heroin & crack cocaine).
  • A 21-year-old man from Hatfield, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (heroin & crack cocaine).
  • A 22-year-old man from Hertford, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (heroin).
  • A 42-year-old woman from Hatfield, on suspicion of importation of class B drugs (cannabis).
  • A 39-year-old man from Bishop’s Stortford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine).
  • A 43-year-old woman from Bishop’s Stortford, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine).
  • A 31-year-old man from Borehamwood, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.
  • A 44-year-old man from East London, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine).
  • A 31-year-old man from South West London, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.
  • A 26-year-old man from South East London, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.
  • A 23-year-old man from South East London, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.
  • A 18-year-old man from South East London, on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.
  • A 35-year-old man from Enfield, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine).
  • A 22-year-old man from East London, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (ketamine).
  • A 47-year-old man, from South West London, on suspicion of being concerned in supplying class A drugs (crack cocaine), taking a vehicle without consent and driving with no insurance.