Three Luton men charged after week of action against county drugs lines

A week of action against county drugs lines has seen three Luton people arrested and charged by Herts police.

Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out the operations targeting drugs gangs, between Monday 9 and Sunday 15 October, as part of a national county lines week of action.

The Operation Mantis team, supported by Hertfordshire’s Operational Support Group and local crime units, carried out warrants targeting gangs involved in drug dealing. Officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and National Crime Agency (NCA) were also involved in the operations.

The teams carried out warrants at addresses in Luton, Borehamwood, Cheshunt, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City. Twenty individuals were arrested, with six being charged and remanded into custody. More than £22,000 in cash, class A and class B drugs with a street value of more than £40,000 and an imitation firearm were recovered during the week. Four people were safeguarded during the operations, including three children.

Among those charged were:

•Javon Sutton-Fahie, aged 38, of Westerdell, Luton, charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply heroin and possession of criminal property

•Habid Iqbal, aged 37, of Watermead Road, Luton, charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply heroin and possession of criminal property

•Wesley Barker, aged 37, from Luton, charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine).

All have been remanded in custody.

Twelve men and women and two teenage boys from St Albans, Stevenage, London, Hertford, Cheshunt, Hemel Hempstead, Abbots Langley and Croydon were also arrested. All were released on bail whilst investigations continue.

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.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Clawson, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: “The operations involved a number of different teams across the force, working with our partners to target county lines drug dealing in Hertfordshire.

“During the week we targeted several gangs working in areas across the county, making some significant arrests, seizing drugs, cash and weapons in the process which would have otherwise made these gangs more of a threat to our communities.

“We will continue to take a very proactive approach 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.”

Detective Inspector Kelly Gray, from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) - which coordinates the policing response to county lines in the region - said: “We see many different types of crime associated with county lines networks, such as violence, exploitation, modern slavery, and of course drugs offences.

“That’s why it’s more important than ever that policing and other partner agencies continue to pursue those involved and protect and safeguard the vulnerable people being exploited.

“I would encourage the public to keep their eyes open to the signs of young and vulnerable people being exploited by county lines gangs.”