Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards joined an early morning raid during an operation targeting county lines drugs gangs which saw more than twenty people arrested.

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Operation Mantis team, supported by teams from the Local Policing Command, the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Orochi unit, British Transport Police, the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit and the National Crime Agency, carried out warrants targeting gangs involved in drug dealing across the Eastern region and London.  

The teams raided addresses in Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and Tring, as well as in Bedfordshire, Oxford and North London. During the operations twenty-three people were arrested, and officers seized heroin, cocaine and cannabis with a street value of more than £320k. Officers also recovered weapons, including three replica firearms, phones and cash.

Of those arrested 17 have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs from across Hertfordshire, London, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire, with all being remanded into custody.

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Ash-Edwards, said: “County Lines drug supply has a harmful impact on neighbourhoods, which can result in violence, exploitation and people feeling less safe in their community. It is essential that robust enforcement action is taken to disrupt drug supply and close down County Lines operating in Hertfordshire. It was useful to join the early morning operation to get a real sense of how these gangs are operating across county boundaries and see the impressive work the police are doing.

“Hertfordshire is a safe place and I want to keep it that way by ensuring pressure is maintained so that dealers knows they face the real prospect of being arrested if they operate in our county.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Clawson, from the constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: “This operation targeted the numerous drug lines that were supplying drugs into the Hemel Hempstead area, which we have been investigating since January 2025.

“During the operation we searched multiple addresses, seizing tens of thousands of pounds worth of cash and drugs, including a huge quantity of crack cocaine and heroin, as well as three replica handguns.

“As part of the Clear, Hold, Build program we are running in Hemel Hempstead, we are clearing out County Lines gangs and safeguarding vulnerable members of the community who are most at risk.”

Head of Crime and Safeguarding, Detective Chief Superintendent Adam Ghaboos, said: “County Lines drug dealing exploits young people, spreads misery, and is closely associated with violence. Young people drawn into this lifestyle often have unrealistic expectations of wealth and luxury; however, the reality is starkly different. They lose autonomy over their movements and schedules, do not retain any earnings, and face significant risks of serious violence. For those being exploited who wish to escape, support and protection are available through Hertfordshire Constabulary and our partnership initiatives.

“Through multiple arrests, shutting down distribution lines, and confiscating drugs and cash, we are creating a hostile environment for dealers and strongly deterring anyone considering the trafficking of Class A drugs into Hertfordshire.”

If you have information about drugs you can report it online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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 has executed hundreds of search warrants, more than 480 arrests and seized over £630,000 in cash. This has led to numerous county lines gangs being dismantled and offenders sentenced to more than 840 years in prison in total.