A NEW police squad set up to tackle drug dealing gangs in south Essex has arrested and charged a London man.

Gavin McEwan, of Essex Road, Islington, has been charged with intent to supply class A drugs.

He appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court this morning and was remanded in custody to appear at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, March 3.

The gang unit, formed under the codename Operation Raptor, was set up last month as a result of an Essex Police restructure.