Watford dealers jailed for 13 years

Three drug dealers who played key roles in supplying Class A across the Watford area, have been jailed for a combined total of more than 13 years.

Khan

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Investigation Unit (SOCIU) carried out arrests in April 2026, arresting three people. During the operation, which was supported by officers from the Operational Support Group and the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit, two arrests were made at an address in Watford. A third arrest was made after a vehicle was stopped and searched on 14 April 2026. 

During the operation cocaine, bladed weapons and more than £9,000 in cash was seized.

Merchant

The trio appeared at St Albans Crown Court today (Friday 7 August), pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (cocaine) and were sentenced as follows:

• Mohammad Khan, aged 42, from Watford was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison
• Lloyd Merchant, aged 52, from Watford was sentenced to two years and nine months
• Mohammed Zariq, aged 32, from Watford was sentenced to two years and nine months.

Zariq

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “This operation was the culmination of months of work which targeted the drug line, which had been supplying cocaine to the Watford area. Khan was controlling the line and played a managerial role, which is estimated to have supplied more than 1kg of Class A cocaine between 1 October 2025 and 14 April 2026. Khan directed Zariq and Merchant, who were street dealers for this operation. Proceeds of Crime legislation will be employed to seize and recover assets obtained via criminal activity.

“These sentences will have a significant effect on the drug supply and related crime in Watford. We continue to rely on the public to be our eyes and ears. If you have any information about drug dealing, please report it - together we can help keep Hertfordshire safe.”

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 talktofrank.com.