Drug crime has a major negative impact on the community and Herts Police have been clamping down.

These five people have all been sentenced over drug-related offences around Watford so far this year.

Offences range from possession to conspiracy to supply £360,000 worth of cocaine, and sentences go from fines up to lengthy prison sentences.

See the list below:

Spencer Clarke

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist organised crime team executed a warrant in Southwold Road, Watford, in June 2022 and found 5kg of cocaine worth £360,000.

Spencer Clarke, 51, of Kirpal Road in Portsmouth, is thought to have brought the drugs hidden in a secret compartment under the boot of a vehicle he owned.

On January 4 at St Albans Crown Court, he was jailed for nine years, minus 154 days spent on curfew whilst on bail, for conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine).

Caid King

Caid King was sentenced over having cannabis, a lock knife, and quantities of crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply at Bedfordshire Youth Court on January 9.

All offences took place on March 27 last year, in Watford.

A community order was made for King, of Thurlow Close, Luton, which included banning him from Watford for six months.

He was also given 200 hours of unpaid work to complete over the next 12 months.

Heroin, crack cocaine, cannabis, a knife and a mobile phone were seized and destroyed, while £274.90 was forfeited under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The 18-year-old was ordered to pay a £26 victim services surcharge and £85 in costs.

John Brindley

John Brindley, 41, was given an 18-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months, at St Albans Crown Court in March. 

The army veteran had pleaded pleading guilty to possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days.

It was revealed in court that Brindley, of the YMCA Charter House, had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after active service in Afghanistan.

He became addicted to drugs and was coerced into dealing to pay off a debt.

Lisa Rooney

After Lisa Rooney, of Deacon Road, London admitted to possessing cocaine in Watford on September 2, last year, the drugs were forfeited and destroyed.

The 46-year-old was ordered to pay a £100 fine as well as £50 in costs and a £40 victim services surcharge at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on January 12.

Jamie Gahagan

36-year-old Jamie Gahagan, of no fixed address, had 23 wraps of diamorphine in Watford on April 13, last year.

He admitted to the offence at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on March 30 and was jailed for 14 days.

The drugs were forfeited and destroyed and Gahagan must pay a £154 surcharge.