Southend: Drugs and weapons seized in targeted action against county line

Specialist officers dedicated to tackling county lines gangs and violence associated with drug dealing have seen charges authorised against two people.

On Monday 25 September, officers with Op Raptor deployed to the area of Coleman Street, Southend, following complaints from residents relating to Class A drug use and anti-social behaviour.

Acting swiftly, officers arrested a 17-year-old boy, from Oxford, and a 27-year-old man, of no fixed address.

They also recovered a significant quantity of cash, two knives, and wraps of suspected Class A drugs.

The two arrested have subsequently been charged with weapons and drugs offences and appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday 26 September).

They have been remanded in custody, with the 17-year-old boy due to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 25 October.

The 27-year-old man will next appear at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday 24 October.

A/DI Rob Maile, of Op Raptor, said:

“We are continuing to target the deployment of our officers to areas linked with drug dealing.
“This goes hand in hand with our ongoing wider work to disrupt county lines groups from the top down.
“The message has always been clear – if you deal harmful substances or carry dangerous weapons on the streets of Essex, you will be caught.”

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