Police Crackdown On Drug Dealers
9 May 2011, 17:20 | Updated: 9 May 2011, 17:23
“We will bang down doors on a regular basis until we get rid of the drug dealers in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield,” said Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Inspector Ian Grout, who co-ordinated nine drugs warrants across the area this morning (Monday May 9, 2011).
Inspector Grout said: “North London drug dealers have tried to settle in Welwyn Garden City and more recently, in Hatfield. We want to make sure they are not welcome. Today is about disruption and making Welwyn Hatfield a safer place for local residents.”
Seven addresses in Welwyn Garden City and two in Hatfield were targeted as part of Operation Scorpion – the Force’s initiative to make Hertfordshire a hostile place for criminals, including drug dealers and drug related crime.
Eight people were arrested, 70 wraps, believed to be Class A drugs, (with a street value between £1,000 and £1,500) and cash, were seized, and a cannabis warning was issued.
Five people were arrested in Clarkson Court on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. They are all men, two aged 19 and three aged 20, all from North London. They are currently in police custody. Forty wraps, believed to be Class A drugs, were seized.
A 17-year-old man from North London was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs at Northway. And a 36-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of allowing her premises to be used for the supply of drugs. Thirty wraps, believed to be Class A drugs, were seized, as well as a large quantity of cash.
A 37-year-old man from Welwyn Garden City was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis (Hollybush House).
A cannabis warning was issued to a man in Ludwick Way.
The addresses were in Welwyn Garden City were Ludwick Way, Ley Walk (Moyne House), Lincoln Close, Hollybush House, Widford Road, Guinness House and Northway. The addresses in Hatfield were Eagleway and Clarkson Court.
Officers from the Tactical Team and the Safer Neighbourhood Team took part in the operation, which will be ongoing.
He said: “As well as the high-visibility warrants, we are also doing a lot of covert work to disrupt the drug networks in the area. We received a lot of information about the comings and goings of people throughout the day and night from residents and the Safer Neighbourhood Team. We built up an intelligence picture before we drew up the drugs warrants. Although Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield does not have a serious drugs problem, we are determined to do everything we can to hinder those involved in the supply and trade of illegal drugs and act immediately on reports of drugs related activity in the local area. This has been made a priority for the Force.”
He added: “Operation Scorpion leaflets were delivered to nearby addresses following the warrants to explain to residents what had happened and reassure them that we have listened and taken positive action.”
On Thursday evening, two men were arrested for drug offences in Welwyn Garden City.
A 50-year-old man of no fixed abode was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Hollybush Lane. A 25-year-old man from North London was also arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. They are both on police bail until June.
Residents’ calls to police about suspected drug dealing in their neighbourhood are crucial to tackling the supply of illegal substances.
People can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information about drug dealing if they don’t want to leave their name. You can also send an anonymous message via the internet on www.herts.police.uk (under Drugs section of Operation Crystal) using a secure on-line form. Your personal details cannot be traced.
Or contact the police direct on 0845 33 00 222.