Colchester: Detectives put new zombie knife legislation to use

Officers investigating the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in Colchester seized multiple zombie knives and a sword while executing warrants at two addresses.

The seizures have allowed our detectives to put new legislation around the possession and ownership of such weapons to good use.

Operation Raptor North, one of our teams dedicated to investigating county lines activity, has been carrying out enquiries into a drug line operating in the Colchester area.

The line has been linked to the supply of Class A drugs to the estimated value of more than £30,000.

As part of their enquiries, officers enlisted the help of our Operational Support Group to execute a warrant at two addresses.

Inside, numerous items of interest were seized.

From one address, police seized a mobile phone, cannabis, cocaine, cutting agents, three zombie knives and a curved-edge sword.

At the second address officers seized mobile phones, a zombie knife, cannabis and cocaine.

Two arrests were made.

Following continuous work, charges have been secured against 58-year-old Barry Elms and 19-year-old Tanna Ireton.

Elms, of New Town Road, Colchester, is charged with four counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place, possessing a controlled drug of Class A and B and being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

Ireton, of Poplar Hall Close, Colchester, is charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, possessing an offensive weapon in a private place and possessing a controlled drug of Class B.

Both appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 8 January, where they were released on conditional bail until a further hearing Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday 5 February.

As of September 2024, zombie-style knives are on the list of prohibited weapons in the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

That means such weapons, which have no legitimate purpose, are illegal to possess or sell.

'Tell us about drug activity in your area'

Detective Sergeant Danielle Markoutsis, of Op Raptor North, said:

“We’re continuing our investigations to keep dangerous Class A drugs off the streets of Colchester and wider Essex.
“This work has the added benefit of frequently seeing deadly weapons taken out of circulation and disposed of safely.
“Our teams working to tackle county lines activity know this is the trade which fuels the majority of serious violence in Essex.
“That is why such enforcement is absolutely vital. This work continues on a daily basis and relies heavily on the information we receive from the community.
“If you become aware of drug activity in and around the area where you live, make a report to us.
“Even if you don’t see action immediately, this intelligence helps us to build cases against suspects.”

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.