14 Dec Nine arrested during crack down on drug dealers in Essex
Nine people were arrested in Essex during an operation cracking down on the supply of drugs in the Eastern region yesterday (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)
Officers from the Operation Raptor teams and Operational Support Group worked with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Service and Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies to target offenders involved in the dealing and transportation of class A drugs between counties.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology was on the A13 and M11 to detect suspect vehicles during the operation codenamed Operation Plexus.
Nine people were arrested and four cars seized because their drivers didn’t have appropriate insurance.
Two people, a 47-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man, were arrested when officers stopped the car in which they were travelling on Southern Way, Harlow just before 1.30pm.
The woman, from Harlow, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and has been released on bail pending further investigation until March 1, 2017.
The man, Barry Kent of Bullfields, Sawbridgeworth, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin and supplying a class A drug to another. He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.
A quantity of suspected class A drugs, mobile phones and cash were seized.
A 52-year-old man from Harlow was arrested at Barleycroft in the town at 12.15pm. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with the terms of his licence. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries until March 1, 2017.
A 19-year-old man from Grays was arrested after officers stopped the car in which he was travelling on Western Avenue, Thurrock at 2.10pm. He was arrested on suspicion of drug driving after failing a roadside drugs swab test and possession of class B or C drugs. He has been released on bail pending further investigation until March 25, 2017.
Two people from London were arrested after officers stopped the vehicle in which they were both traveling on the A12 at the junction with the M25 at Brentwood.
They were a 36-year-old man who was arrested after officers discovered he was wanted on a European arrest warrant in connection with an allegation of fraud in Slovakia in 2015 and a 26-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of immigration offences. The man was transferred to Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning and the woman remains in custody where she will be dealt with by immigration officials.
A 21-year-old man from Grays was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and driving whilst disqualified after officers stopped the car in which he was travelling on Parsonage Road, Grays at 8.15pm. The vehicle was seized and the man is currently still in custody.
A 40-year-old man was arrested in Ceylon road, Westcliff after officers discovered he was wanted on recall to prison. The man, who is from the Westcliff area, has been returned to custody.
A 19-year-old man from Northolt, Middlesex was arrested at Signet View, Thurrock after officers discovered he was wanted in connection with a burglary in Bedfordshire in July this year. He has been transferred to Bedfordshire Police.
Chief Supt Paul Wells, lead for Essex Police’s response to gangs, said: “Operation Plexus saw a number a police forces work together on a focused crackdown on gang criminality.
“Operation Raptor teams have been created in each of the local policing areas in Essex to detect and disrupt gangs who travel into the county to sell drugs and cause violence. The teams worked with colleagues from Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police Service and Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies to target the dealers and the runners they employ to deliver drugs to vulnerable addicts.
“Throughout the operation ANPR technology read more than 1000 vehicle registration plates on the A12 and A13 – two of the main routes in and out of Essex. A number of arrests were made in connection with drugs offences, several vehicles of interest were stopped and searched and large amounts of intelligence were collected.
“This day of activity is just a small aspect of the work ongoing to disrupt gang activity in Essex. Since the launch of Operation Raptor drugs with an estimated street value of more than £2 million have been taken off our streets and in excess of 1,200 arrests made.
“Anyone involved in drug relate crime should take this as a warning. It’s only a matter of time before we come looking for you and we won’t be knocking on the door nicely!
“As well as enforcement activity, Operation Raptor is about working with partner agencies to offer support to those affected by gang criminality. Drug dealing gangs exploit and prey on the vulnerable in our communities, persuading them to carry drugs on their behalf and taking over their homes as a base from which to deal. They also target young people who are amongst the most vulnerable in our communities. We recognise that and are working to educate young people about the harsh realities of gang life.
“There is still work to be done and my teams will work tirelessly to keep the streets of Essex safe. However we need your help. Much of our work is intelligence led. If you have information about gang activity where you live, please tell us by calling 101. Anyone who would rather not talk to police can call the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You won’t have to give your name or go to court to give evidence.”
