Police found a large amount of Class A (cocaine) and Class B (cannabis) drugs, along with cash and a stun gun
Author: Jon BurkePublished 2 hours ago
A dealer, who was involved in supplying drugs in Welwyn Hatfield, has been jailed for four years.
After an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s County Lines Investigation Unit (CLIU), Ashley McNeil, aged 37, of Birdcroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, was arrested in September 2025. During his arrest, a large amount of Class A (cocaine) and Class B (cannabis) drugs were seized, along with cash and a stun gun.
McNeil appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 7 November and after pleading guilty, was sentenced to:
Four years in prison for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs
Two years for possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (to run concurrently)
Six months for possession of a stun gun – (to run concurrently)
12 months for possession of criminal property (to run concurrently)
The County Lines Investigation Unit has now secured more than 1000 years of jail time for those involved in drug gangs, since it was established in 2018.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Willcox, from the constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: “McNeil was supplying cocaine and cannabis to the Welwyn Hatfield areas. We recovered a quarter of a kilo of cocaine, 50 bars of cannabis resin and a stun gun during his arrest. Residents should be reassured that these drugs and weapon are now safely out of circulation.
“This latest sentence has taken the total amount of jail time secured by the CLIU to more than 1000 years. We have taken more than 280 offenders off of the streets of Hertfordshire, disrupting and dismantling many drug gangs in the process. County Lines gangs pose a significant threat to our communities, especially young people and those who are vulnerable. We will continue to target those involved in drug dealing and violent crime. Help us to rid our communities of drugs and related crime by reporting information about drug dealing.”
You can report information online, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via the online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.
Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its untraceable online form.
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
The County Lines Investigation Unit was launched in 2018 and is made up of officers who specialise in targeting serious and organised crime. Since May 2019 the team has executed hundreds of search warrants, made more than 580 arrests and seized over £680,000 in cash. This has led to numerous county lines gangs being dismantled and offenders sentenced to more than 1000 years in prison in total.
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.
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