A TOTAL of eight men from North Herts have now been charged following dawn police raids across the county last week.

As part of Operation Absolve, eight addresses - including four in Letchworth GC, and one each in Baldock, Hitchin and Stevenage - were targeted simultaneously by teams of police officers at 6.20am on Wednesday, July 21.

Following 12 arrests, police have now charged two men from Letchworth GC, two men from Hitchin, one man from Stevenage and one Stotfold man, all with drug offences.

Two other Letchworth GC men have been charged with criminal offences.

*Kaldip Lehal, 29, of Glebe Road, Letchworth, has been charged with supplying a Class A drug, offering to supply Class A drugs and two counts of attempting to supply Class A drugs. He appeared before Hatfield Remand Court on July 22.

*Mark Lidbetter, 24, of Campers Avenue, Letchworth, is charged with supplying Class A drugs. He is due to appear before North Herts Magistrates’ Court on August 3.

*A 17-year-old from Letchworth GC, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with possessing cannabis. He is due to appear before North Herts Magistrates’ Court on August 3.

*Darren Rowell, 27, of Hopton Road, Stevenage, is charged with possessing cocaine. He appeared before St Albans Magistrates’ Court on July 22.

*Roshane Archibald, 22, of Willian Road, Hitchin, is charged with two counts of attempting to supply Class A drugs, two counts of supplying Class A drugs and a further charge of offering to supply Class A drugs. He appeared before Hatfield Remand Court on July 22 and was remanded until July 29.

*Matthew Campbell, 27, of Benchley Hill, Hitchin, is charged with four counts of supplying Class A drugs, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and theft of a quantity of cash. He is due to appear before North Herts Magistrates’ Court on August 3.

*Lee McDonald, 30, of Hitchin Road, Stotfold, has been charged with two counts of supplying Class A drugs and attempting to handle stolen goods. He is due to appear before North Herts Magistrates’ Court on August 3.

*Karl Sperry, 20, of Common View, Letchworth GC, is charged with possessing criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act. He is due to appear before North Herts Magistrates’ Court on August 3.