Closure order secured after drugs warrant arrests – Watford

A full closure order has been secured on a property linked to suspected drug dealing after two people were arrested during a warrant in Watford.

The flat on Leavesden Road is now off-limits for three months after police successfully achieved the closure order at court on Wednesday (22 November) following months of partnership working with Watford Borough Council and Origin Housing.

The order follows the arrest of two men at the address during an early-morning warrant on Thursday 16 November, where officers seized drugs, cash, weapons, e-bikes and a stolen vehicle. The raid was carried out at 6am by Operation Scorpion officers and the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

They detained two people before searching the premises. They found and seized a significant amount of heroin and cannabis, four knives, a stolen vehicle, cloned registration plates, cash, three electric bikes, and phones they suspect are linked to county lines drug dealing.

Sergeant Phil Smith, from the Watford Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We had intelligence to suggest that electric bikes were being used anti-socially as part of suspected drug dealing activity in our town, and further information indicated that this could be attributed to county lines.

“This result is an excellent example of collaboration in the Watford Community Safety Partnership, with partners working together to improve the quality of life for local residents.

“Proactive intervention such as this is vital to protect the vulnerable members of our community, bring offenders to justice and rid our streets of illegal drugs and weapons. We hope this activity shows that we will do everything in our power to prevent violence and criminality from blighting our communities.”

A 19 year old man and a 17 year old male, both from Watford, were each arrested on suspicion of multiple offences:

• Possession with intent to supply class A drugs (heroin)
• Possession with intent to supply class B drugs (cannabis)
• Possession of an offensive weapon in a private place (knives)
• Theft of a motor vehicle
• Theft from a motor vehicle (disabled badges)
• Fraud by false representation
• Affray (relating to an incident in Watford on Sunday 5 November)

They have been released on bail until Thursday 15 February 2024.

If you suspect drug-related crime in your local area, report it online at herts.police.uk/report, via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or by calling the non-emergency number 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

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.  

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