Dear Resident

Two drug dealers who ran a drug network in the Stevenage area have been jailed for a total of more than 14 years. 

The pair from East London ran the ‘Max’ drug line, supplying heroin and crack cocaine in the area for more than a year before their arrests in March 2024.  

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist county lines team, Operation Mantis, conducted a long-running investigation before arresting the two men who appeared at St Albans Crown Court on 27 November, pleading guilty.   

Donnell Willocks, aged 28, and of Radbourne Crescent, East London was sentenced to 7 years and three months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Khyien Corbett, aged 27, and of Blackhorse Road, East London was sentenced to 7 years and three months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Detective Sergeant Chris Cowell, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Operation Mantis team, said: “These two men contributed to much of the drug crime in Stevenage over more than a year, controlling the ‘Max’ drug line. The disruption of this will make a considerable impact on drug supply and associated crime in the town. 

“These sentences demonstrate that even though no drugs were recovered during the arrests, we were able to gather enough evidence to gain substantial punishments for offenders involved in selling drugs and spreading misery.”

You can report information about a crime online at herts.police.uk/reportor 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 www.talktofrank.com.

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: