Clacton: Three charges in drug line investigation

Specialist officers working to disrupt a drug supply line have seen three suspects charged after a series of warrants were executed across London, Kent and Clacton.

Op Raptor North and Op Orochi teams, both of which are part of our serious violence unit, coordinated with our Operational Support Group and Clacton’s Community Policing Team to crack down on a line which has been active in the town since February this year.

On Wednesday 26 July, five simultaneous warrants were executed, targeting five suspects believed to be connected to the line.

All suspects were located and arrested, with a large amount of Class A and B drugs recovered.

Officers also seized 14 rounds of live ammunition and £6,000 in cash from one address.

Achmed Conteh, 25, of Salem Street, Maidstone, and David O’Connor, 26, of Dudley Road, Clacton, have since been charged with two counts of conspiring to supply a Class A drug,

Gianni Austin, 25, of Selhurst Road, London SE, has been charged with possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate, two counts of conspiring to supply a Class A drug and being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug.

All three defendants appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 27 July and were remanded in custody until a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 24 August.

A 37-year-old man and a 28-year-old man, both from Clacton, have been released on bail until 3 October.

What you know could be the missing puzzle piece we’re looking for.

We know that information held by our communities can help us to keep people safe and catch criminals.

We also know that our communities need to trust that we will listen to them and take action when we need to.

Our Police Intelligence page explains what happens when you tell us something you've seen or heard. It explains what to expect and what we need to know when you give us information. 

If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right or causes you concern, we want you to tell us about it.