Four arrested during operation targeting county lines gang

Hertfordshire Constabulary arrested four men during an operation targeting an organised crime group.

The operation was led by Hertfordshire’s specialist county lines team, Operation Mantis, and supported by units from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and the Metropolitan Police.

A series of warrants were conducted on Thursday 8 August in Cambridgeshire and Essex, during which three men were arrested. Later in the day a vehicle believed to be linked to organised crime was detected by an ANPR camera. The vehicle was tracked from Cambridgeshire through Essex and followed by a police helicopter into the London area where it was stopped and a fourth man was arrested. Class A drugs, large amounts of cash and other paraphernalia consistent with drug dealing were seized during the operation .

Fatlum Dautaj, aged 24, of Ermine Street North, Cambridge, and Ervis Kastrati, aged 30, of Sackville Close, Cambridge were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Both men have been remanded into custody. A 26-year-old man and a 31 year old man, both from Saffron Walden were also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and were bailed whilst the investigation continues.

Detective Sergeant Chris Cowell, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: “This operation targeted the Ben Line, which was operating in the North and East Herts areas, as well as in South Cambridgeshire.

“We will continue to take a very proactive approach to targeting drug dealing in the county, working with our partners in other agencies to make it difficult for these crime groups to operate, preventing new gangs becoming established and targeting them early before they get a foothold and serious offences can occur.”

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.

What is Operation Mantis?

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 400 arrests and seized over £392,000 in cash. This has led to numerous county lines gangs being dismantled and offenders sentenced to more than 600 years in prison in total.

What is county lines?

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’.

Dealers typically use a single phone line to facilitate the supply of Class A drugs to customers. The phone line is highly valuable and is protected through violence and intimidation.

What is 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.

Help and support for those with drug addiction:

If someone you know has a drug problem, they can get help by contacting Frank on 0800 77 66 00 or visiting www.talktofrank.com.