TWENTY-eight people were arrested and drugs with a potential street value of more than £310,000 were seized during the latest County Lines Intensification Week.
Officers from our Op Raptor and Op Orochi teams executed warrants across the county to take down line-holders, detain drug runners, and take Class A substances off the streets.
Warrants in Chelmsford and London led to five arrests following an investigation by the Essex and Met Op Orochi teams, and Op Raptor North, into a drugs line operating in Essex’s county town.
One of the individuals targeted jumped from a first-floor window in just his pants and vest in an attempt to escape. After giving false details in custody and refusing to have his fingerprints taken, officers quickly discovered he was wanted on a recall to prison, where he was returned.
The line phone, cash, two weapons and a substantial amount of heroin and crack cocaine with a street value of approximately £6,000 were also recovered. The four others arrested have been charged and remanded in custody.
In Southend, the suspected holder of drugs line and his accomplice were charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and remanded in custody following an investigation by Op Raptor South into a case of cuckooing and violence. Drugs and weapons were found at their addresses.
Five other men were arrested in the city for offences including possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, and breaches of bail conditions.
Three men were charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in Basildon and remanded in custody after reports of two drugs lines using juveniles as drug runners. Two of the men are suspected to be the line holders.
There were also four arrests by the Op Raptor West and Op Orochi teams linked to drug dealing and violence in Waltham Abbey.
In Grays, a man who was stopped by officers on patrol was found to be in possession of Class A and B drugs, cash, and a mobile phone. He was later charged with eight offences and remanded in custody.
Proactive work in the town also led to the arrest of two men with links to gangs in Essex and London.
In neighbouring Tilbury, officers also uncovered a cannabis grow linked to a criminal gang with plants that would have yielding drugs with a potential street value of more than £300,000.
In total, £3,000 in cash was seized from suspects and addresses linked to drug dealing across the week.
Alongside the enforcement activity, officers also safeguarded 38 people, including eight girls and 10 boys under the age of 18.
They also checked on six addresses linked to cuckooing, and visited hotels and spoke to taxi drivers to raise awareness of the signs of child exploitation.
Detective Chief Inspector Neal Miller of our Serious Violence Unit said:
“County Lines drug dealing exploits young people, spreads misery and is intrinsically linked to violence. The intensification week is an insight into the work our officers are doing every single day of the year to dismantle the trade in the illegal drugs and lock up the people responsible for their production and distribution in our county.
“The youngsters who are lured into this life think it’s going to be bags full of cash, flash watches and box fresh trainers but the reality couldn’t be more different.
“They have no control over where they go and when, they don’t keep any of the money, and are at the risk of becoming victims of serious violence. However, if you are being exploited and want to escape, we, along with our partners, can help safeguard you.
“By making multiple arrests, shutting down lines and confiscating drugs and cash, we are creating a hostile environment for dealers and sending a very strong message to anyone thinking about bringing Class A drugs into Essex.”
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