Hemel county lines drug dealer jailed

A drug dealer who ran a drug network in the Hemel Hempstead area has been jailed more than five years.

Benaziza

The dealer, Elyass Benaziza, ran the well-established ‘Frank’ drug line supplying cocaine in the areas between 1 June and 10 November 2022. 

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist county lines gangs team, Operation Mantis, arrested Benaziza in November 2022 on suspicion of an unrelated assault. During the arrest officers seized 27 grams of heroin, with an estimated street value of £2,740. More than £35,000 cash and mobile phones were also seized, which upon investigation contained messages offering the sale of crack cocaine and heroin.  

Benaziza, aged 30, of Saturn Way, Hemel Hempstead, appeared at Luton Crown Court today (Thursday 30 May), and pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug of Class A with Intent (heroin), being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug Class A (crack cocaine) and possessing criminal property contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.  He was sentenced to five years and three moths in prison.

Detective Constable Chris Duncan, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Operation Mantis team, said: “Benaziza ran the well established ‘Frank’ line, which supplied heroin and cocaine to the Hemel Hempstead area. 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.”

You can report information about a crime online at herts.police.uk/report or speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat, which can be launched here: herts.police.uk/contact. You also call the non-emergency number 101. If a crime is in progress call 999.

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. 

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.

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.