Three Luton men arrested after clampdown on county lines drug dealing

Seven warrants were executed during the week of action
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Three men from Luton were arrested after Hertfordshire Police carried out a week of operations against drug gangs last week.

The force's Operation Mantis team - a specialist unit dedicated to tackling County Lines - carried out a week of operations against drug gangs between Monday, September 14, and Friday, September 18.

During the week of action seven warrants were executed at addresses across the county and the Mantis team, supported by Local Policing Command officers, made eight arrests, including three men from Luton.

Three Luton men arrested after clampdown on county lines drug dealingThree Luton men arrested after clampdown on county lines drug dealing
Three Luton men arrested after clampdown on county lines drug dealing

Faizan Farooq, 28, of Argyll Avenue, Luton, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Rehan Farooq, 26, of Argyll Avenue , Luton, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

A 26-year-old man from Luton was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Neil Dwumfour, 30, of Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon was charged with being concerned in the supply class A drugs.

Brian Liles, 44, of Collett Road, Ware, was charged with being concerned in the supply class A drugs.

Aaron Cooper, 27, of Mobbsbury Way, Stevenage, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Djelloul Belakehal, 18, of Redhill Road, Hitchin, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

A 21-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Forces across the UK carried out similar operations with support from the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC) and Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, as part of a national drive, to disrupt and arrest those involved in county lines.

The Operation Mantis team was launched in 2018 and is made up of officers who specialise in targeting serious and organised crime.

Since May 2019 the team have executed over 150 search warrants, made 148 arrests and seized over £125,000 in cash. This has led to 42 county lines gangs being dismantled and offenders sentenced to more than 125 years in prison.

Detective Sergeant Jon Leak, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Operation Mantis team, said: “We have been able to make a significant impact on these criminal gangs operating in Hertfordshire over the last two years.

"This latest week of action is part of our continuing drive to disrupt and dismantle County Lines operating in the county.

"We are taking a very proactive approach and making it difficult for these organisations to operate in our towns, identifying new gangs and targeting them early before they get a foothold and serious offences can occur.

“Police forces across the country took part in the coordinated week of action to target those who are involved in drugs supply and exploiting vulnerable people.

"We continue to work with partners at national and local level, to target these gangs and also 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 getting involved in gang activity.”

County Lines is the name given to describe drug dealing, which involves criminal networks from urban areas expanding their activities into smaller towns and rural areas.

It often involves the exploitation of children, as gangs use young people and those with mental health or addiction problems to transport drugs and money. These gangs establish a base in the location they are targeting, often taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults by force or coercion in a practice referred to as ‘cuckooing’.

Cuckooing is the term used when gangs establish a base in the location they are targeting, often taking over the homes of vulnerable adults by force or coercion.

How to spot the signs that cuckooing might be happening in your neighbourhood:

- Lots of different people coming and going from an address during the day and at night

- Suspicious smells coming from the property

- Windows covered or curtains closed all of the time

- Cars pulling up to or near to the house for a short period of time

- An increase in anti-social behaviour around the property.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hertfordshire Police on 101, or report information online at www.herts.police.uk/report.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.