Loughton: Man charged after armed arrest

A man has been charged with a series of offences after being arrested by armed officers in Loughton.

It comes as part of an ongoing investigation by our serious and organised crime unit into the supply of Class A drugs in Essex.

The arrest was carried out on Wednesday 29 April as part of a strike co-ordinated by our armed officers in Alderton Hill.

Searches were then carried out in a vehicle in which the man was travelling and his home address.

Among the items seized were a handgun, ammunition, four blades, significant quantities of Class A drugs, cash as well as a number of electronic devices.

Rocco Coakley, 22, of Clays Lane, Loughton, has been charged with:

• Possession of a firearm
• Possession of ammunition
• Being concerned in supply of cocaine
• Being concerned in supply of ketamine
• Possession of a bladed article; and
• Possession of criminal property

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 30 April and was remanded into custody until a next hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 25 May.

Three other people who were also arrested have been released on conditional bail whilst the investigation continues.

Detective Inspector Chris Rose, who’s leading the investigation, said:

“This is a significant step in this investigation.
“The arrest made on Wednesday was carried out with incredible skill and precision by our armed officers and allowed our immediate searches to be carried out safely and unimpeded.
“The supply of drugs in Essex will not be tolerated and there are teams across the force which work determinedly to tackle those who we believe to be involved.”