Essex Police strike against organised drug gangs with 460 arrests this year

A drug line run by three brothers which saw cocaine trafficked from the Midlands to the streets of Essex has been dismantled following a “careful, complex investigation” – marking one of hundreds of successes in 2025 against organised drug gangs.

Our Operation Raptor and Orochi teams had long been building a case against Faisal, Qasim and Waqar Khan, who were involved in supplying Class A drugs in the Southend area.

Each man operated the line remotely, using runners to sell cocaine on the streets, but as this case proves, such dealers are never out of reach in Essex.

The brothers used 26-year-old Nathan Nbada as a line holder to pass on orders and organise deliveries.

After months of evidence gathering, officers executed search warrants at Birmingham addresses in January 2025, arresting the three brothers and recovering cash and a Rolex watch – later confiscated as proceeds of crime.

Nbada was arrested later that month.

Analysis of seized drug line phones revealed around 17kg of cocaine had been sold since 2022.

All four men admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on 23 December:

Faisal Khan (29) – 8 years 6 months
Qasim Khan (25) – 8 years 6 months
Waqar Khan (32) – 5 years 8 months
Nathan Nbada (26) – 5 years 5 months

Judge Samantha Cohen praised Essex Police’s “careful, complex investigation”, noting that “drugs ruin lives”.

Detective Sergeant Jon Kemp, of Op Raptor South, said:

“Through the evidence my team gathered, we were able to show the many transactions and individual drug deals conducted by this county line operation.
“Tackling the trade in drugs is a priority in Essex and we’ve spent all of 2025 working hard to build cases against those engaged in this activity.
“There are no lasting success stories in the county lines world – if you engage in this activity, we will find you.”

This case is just one example of the tireless work carried out by our Serious Violence Unit (SVU) throughout 2025.

Hosting our Operation Raptor and Orochi teams, the SVU focuses on dismantling county lines gangs and safeguarding those they exploit.

Key results for 2025:

• 460+ arrests
• 340+ suspects charged and remanded
• 220+ drug lines dismantled
• 30+ kilograms of drugs seized
• 130+ weapons recovered
• £360,000+ in criminal cash confiscated
• 50+ evidence packages prepared by our Orochi teams for enforcement.
• 190+ vulnerable adults and young people safeguarded
• 80+ referrals to partner services for support

Temporary Detective Superintendent Neal Miller, head of the SVU, said:

“Our specialist teams, working day and night to tackle those involved in organised drug dealing, have had another very successful year.
“County lines gangs know our teams are active, alert and very often already on their tail.
“My thanks go to the public in Essex who report drug dealing activity – your information was vital in securing many of the 460 arrests we made across the year.”

Are you worried that a friend or someone you know may be being exploited through County Lines or organised criminal activity?

Maybe they are returning home late, staying out all night or even going missing for days or weeks at a time.

Are they suddenly being secretive about who they are talking to or where they are going?

Or perhaps you’ve noticed they have large amounts of money on them, or new clothing, jewellery or phones they wouldn’t be able to afford.

Through Fearless, young people can pass on information 100% anonymously to get help.

If you need help from police, call 101 or, if it's an emergency, always call 999.

Keeping people safe is at the heart of what we do.