County lines drug dealer jailed

A drug dealer who ran a drug network in the East Hertfordshire/Broxbourne area has been jailed for nine years.

Kyle Murphy

The dealer, Kyle Murphy, ran a well-established drug line supplying cocaine in the areas between August 2022 and August 2023.

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist county lines gangs team, Operation Mantis, arrested three men and a woman in August 2023 after conducting a series of warrants and proactive stops. During these operations they also seized cocaine with a potential street value of more than £7,000, over £90,000 in cash along with high value watches and designer clothing.

The group appeared at Luton Crown Court on Thursday 9 May, they were:

• Kyle Murphy, aged 25, of South Road, Ware, was sentenced to nine years in prison for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine)
• Alfie Short, aged 23, of Wood Green Way, Cheshunt was sentenced to two years suspended for two years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine)
• Steven Unwin, aged 34, of Watton Road, Ware was sentenced to one year imprisonment suspended for two years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine)
• Tanya Bowen aged 39, Amwell Court, Waltham Abbey, was sentenced to seven months imprisonment suspended for two years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine)

Detective Sergeant Jon Leak, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Operation Mantis team, said: “Murphy ran an established drug network, which supplied cocaine into the East Herts and Broxbourne areas. The disruption of this line will make a significant impact on drug use and associated crime in that part of the county. It also sends a clear message that drug dealing will not go unpunished and anyone involved will be caught and jailed.

“Exploitation of vulnerable young people is just one of the tragic symptoms of organised drug gangs. County lines dealers can coerce people into providing a base for dealers to operate or to act as distributers themselves. They often use young people to handle drugs and money, drawing them deeper into gang affiliation that often leads to violence and abuse.”

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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 Talk to Frank (opens in new window).