A drug dealer who ran a county lines network in Watford has been jailed following a town centre raid.

Justin Hawkes, 46, of no fixed address, was being tracked as part of a long-running investigation into the supply in the borough.

Police raided an address where more than £4,000 worth of crack cocaine was seized along with phones believed to be used in the operation.

Hawkes was arrested along with Rebecca Prowse, 33, of Brindle Court in Watford.

 

Justin Hawkes. Credit: Hertfordshire Constabulary

Justin Hawkes. Credit: Hertfordshire Constabulary

They appeared at St Albans Crown Court on March 8, where Hawkes was sentenced to seven years for the supply of class A drugs.

Prowse received a suspended two-year sentence, a rehabilitation activity order and a nine-month drug referral order.

PC Hunni Glanville, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s operational support group, said: “Vulnerable people are often the ones who suffer the most being drawn into criminal activities, drugs and even sexual exploitation.

“Our operations are making a significant impact on the county lines network operating in Hertfordshire and we will continue to disrupt gang activity and stop the supply of drugs into our towns.”

You may also be interested in:

Police were cracking down on cocaine distribution in Watford. Credit: PA

Police were cracking down on cocaine distribution in Watford. Credit: PA