A MAN has been arrested and charged after a more than 40kilos of cannabis was found in a vehicle, in Harpenden.

A Vauxhall Corsa van was stopped by officers from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Firearms Support Unit, in Batford, on Saturday morning.

Officers from the Serious Organised Crime Group later searched premises in Cheshunt and a haul of drugs was recovered, including six kilos of cocaine, believed to be worth in excess of half a million pounds.

Keith Anthony Ellis, aged 51, of Harkness in Waltham Cross was charged with several counts of possession with intent to supply. He appeared at Hatfield Court on Monday (September 5).

He has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on September 14.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Chinery, of the SOCG, said: “Whilst Hertfordshire remains a safe county in which to live, we will always strive to tackle those we suspect to be involved in drugs offences.

“Anyone believed to be involved in such activity will be pursued through the courts and, if found guilty, dealt with robustly.”

Inspector Peter Knight from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Firearms Support Unit added: “The FSU remains committed to supporting our local policing colleagues in reducing the amount of illegal drugs available.”