An organised crime group member is set to face years in jail after involvement in supplying drugs across Hertfordshire.

Essex man Lee Mitchell was part of a group that supplied drugs across Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, Essex and London. As part of a long-running investigation, 16 members of the group have been jailed for a total of 166 years.

The 45-year-old was given a six-year-and-six-month jail term by St Albans Crown Court yesterday (January 11), having been found unanimously guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine).

Mitchell, of Little Canfield, had been arrested in February 2021 following investigation by Herts Police’s Operation Relentless team. Evidence showed that he had purchased 750g of cocaine from an organised drug network.

He was arrested after a search warrant was carried out at his address.

Watford Observer: Lee Mitchell.Lee Mitchell. (Image: Herts Police)Detective Inspector Grant Finnie said: “Successfully dismantling such a significant network will have a big impact on drug use and associated crime within the county.

“This will also send a message to anyone involved in drug dealing, that Hertfordshire is a hostile environment for gangs and they will be pursued relentlessly.”

“Organised crime groups use violence, supply drugs and commit a whole range of crimes that pose a real threat to the community.”