Four arrested in operation targeting Watford county lines gang

Four people have been arrested during an operation targeting a county lines drugs gang.

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Operation Mantis team, supported by Operation Scorpion Teams and the Metropolitan Police Service, carried out warrants targeting a gang involved in drug dealing in Watford.  

The teams carried out warrants on Wednesday 11 December at addresses in Watford and North West London, arresting four people and seizing heroin, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis with a street value of more than £20k. Officers also recovered several phones, weapons and over £6,000 in cash during the operation.

Those arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs were:

• Shakir Bugembe, aged 22, of Surrey Lane, London
• Rajwan Miah, aged 37, of Walnut Tree Road, Hounslow
• Imad Lamin, aged 21 Eskdale Avenue, Northolt
• Jakub Hostancy, aged 22, of Arliss Court, Watford

All have been charged and remanded.

Detective Sergeant Chris Cowell, from the constabulary’s Operation Mantis team, said: “This operation targeted the ‘Tony Stark’ line that was supplying drugs to the Watford area, which we have been investigating since August 2024.

“During the operation we searched multiple addresses, seizing tens of thousands of pounds worth of cash and drugs, including a huge quantity of cannabis edibles, which are made to look like sweets, but are laced with high levels of cannabis and other chemicals.

“We are continuing to target gangs who are active in areas across the county, which would have otherwise been a threat to our communities and pose a significant risk to young and vulnerable people.”

You can report information online, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat 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.

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 460 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.

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 Talk to Frank on 0800 77 66 00.