Police dog Jack sniffs out drugs under patio

1:50pm Friday 18th March 2011 in Basildon

Police launch their operation at the Basildon home Police launch their operation at the Basildon home

A MASSIVE haul of what is thought to be cocaine was found buried underneath a garden patio in a dawn drugs raid.

The drugs, which are believed to include cocaine, crack and cannabis, are thought to have a street value of thousands of pounds.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs following the find early yesterday morning.

A team of about ten plainclothes police officers raided the bungalow in Gay Bowers, Basildon, and immediately arrested the three people inside before a drugs sniffer dog – spaniel Jack – was let loose to search the property.

After sniffing about the garden, the highly trained dog began barking, indicating he had found something.

Handler PC Elaine Michaels lifted cement patio slabs to uncover the drugs, which were hidden inside a Hovis bread bag containing a large Nescafe coffee jar, bound with masking tape.

When officers opened the jar they found several white rocks, thought to be crack, as well as bags of a white powder, thought to be cocaine, and herbal cannabis. In a separate blue carrier bag there was a massive haul of what appeared to be cocaine. The drugs were taken away by forensic officers and are being analysed.

Following the raid, Det Sgt Alan Blakesley, of the south western tactical team, said: “A large quantity of suspected Class A drugs has been seized as part of this operation and we have stopped it from hitting the streets and blighting our communities. If you commit crime in Basildon or Thurrock you can rest assured we will be coming through your door any day.”

Nearby residents spoke of their relief following the raid.

One woman, who lives in nearby Quilters Straight, said: “I’m glad the police have raided it.

“No one will be surprised by what the police found. It’s not news to anyone around here.”

Three people – a 27-year-old woman and two men, aged 21 and 44, all from Basildon – were all arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply. All three remain in custody at Basildon police station where they are being questioned.

l Following the operation in Gay Bowers police raided a home in Shortlands, Basildon, where they also seized suspected Class A drugs and drug-related paraphernalia. A 43-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs, and the possession and sale of counterfeit goods and is in custody for questioning.

Comments (10)

2:05pm Fri 18 Mar 11

el caballero de la noche says...

Hopefully there Municipal house will be returned to people that deserve it.
Hopefully there Municipal house will be returned to people that deserve it. el caballero de la noche

3:01pm Fri 18 Mar 11

thelonewhinger says...

The bungalow looks to have been modified for disabled access - Don't suppose the drugs might be to do with that?
Best check on the validity of any benefit claims while they are at it.
The bungalow looks to have been modified for disabled access - Don't suppose the drugs might be to do with that? Best check on the validity of any benefit claims while they are at it. thelonewhinger

6:24pm Fri 18 Mar 11

Ivanna Goodhump says...

thelonewhinger wrote:
The bungalow looks to have been modified for disabled access - Don't suppose the drugs might be to do with that? Best check on the validity of any benefit claims while they are at it.
As an aside - the amount of money wasted on consructing disabled access ramps to Council houses is astonishing. The over engineering is a sight to behold. Indeed one house in Southend has a sloping front garden and the ramp the Council has constructed resembles the Cresta Run.
~
It's a tenanted Council House - move the occupant to another house on level ground FFS and save some money
[quote][p][bold]thelonewhinger[/bold] wrote: The bungalow looks to have been modified for disabled access - Don't suppose the drugs might be to do with that? Best check on the validity of any benefit claims while they are at it.[/p][/quote]As an aside - the amount of money wasted on consructing disabled access ramps to Council houses is astonishing. The over engineering is a sight to behold. Indeed one house in Southend has a sloping front garden and the ramp the Council has constructed resembles the Cresta Run. ~ It's a tenanted Council House - move the occupant to another house on level ground FFS and save some money Ivanna Goodhump

7:40am Sat 19 Mar 11

monkeymask says...

Off the subject of the drugs raid, but i just want to comment on Ivanna Goodhumps' post. So it's ok to move the disabled away from a neighbourhood where they have probably lived for some time, move them to somewhere they wont no anyone, lose a lot of support from friends and family, have to get new carpets and curtains etc (probably paid for with a community grant) Because it would save a few quid?
Off the subject of the drugs raid, but i just want to comment on Ivanna Goodhumps' post. So it's ok to move the disabled away from a neighbourhood where they have probably lived for some time, move them to somewhere they wont no anyone, lose a lot of support from friends and family, have to get new carpets and curtains etc (probably paid for with a community grant) Because it would save a few quid? monkeymask

4:50pm Sat 19 Mar 11

thelonewhinger says...

monkeymask wrote:
Off the subject of the drugs raid, but i just want to comment on Ivanna Goodhumps' post. So it's ok to move the disabled away from a neighbourhood where they have probably lived for some time, move them to somewhere they wont no anyone, lose a lot of support from friends and family, have to get new carpets and curtains etc (probably paid for with a community grant) Because it would save a few quid?
I think the comment meant that if the tenant for whom the ramp was built
moved away or passed away it should be available for future disabled tenants rather than give it to able-bodied and have another costly modification elsewhere...
[quote][p][bold]monkeymask[/bold] wrote: Off the subject of the drugs raid, but i just want to comment on Ivanna Goodhumps' post. So it's ok to move the disabled away from a neighbourhood where they have probably lived for some time, move them to somewhere they wont no anyone, lose a lot of support from friends and family, have to get new carpets and curtains etc (probably paid for with a community grant) Because it would save a few quid?[/p][/quote]I think the comment meant that if the tenant for whom the ramp was built moved away or passed away it should be available for future disabled tenants rather than give it to able-bodied and have another costly modification elsewhere... thelonewhinger

11:09pm Sat 19 Mar 11

Trainman says...

When officers opened the jar they found several white rocks, thought to be crack, as well as bags of a white powder, thought to be cocaine, and herbal cannabis. In a separate blue carrier bag there was a massive haul of what appeared to be cocaine. The drugs were taken away by forensic officers and are being analysed.

WHY are they Never sure before raiding places, instead of 'Thought to be'?
When officers opened the jar they found several white rocks, thought to be crack, as well as bags of a white powder, thought to be cocaine, and herbal cannabis. In a separate blue carrier bag there was a massive haul of what appeared to be cocaine. The drugs were taken away by forensic officers and are being analysed. WHY are they Never sure before raiding places, instead of 'Thought to be'? Trainman

10:53am Sun 20 Mar 11

APR says...

I expect they will be released without charge ....
I expect they will be released without charge .... APR

11:54am Sun 20 Mar 11

ukman says...

Well done Jack !
Well done Jack ! ukman

7:11pm Sun 20 Mar 11

stropmag says...

Trainman wrote:
When officers opened the jar they found several white rocks, thought to be crack, as well as bags of a white powder, thought to be cocaine, and herbal cannabis. In a separate blue carrier bag there was a massive haul of what appeared to be cocaine. The drugs were taken away by forensic officers and are being analysed.

WHY are they Never sure before raiding places, instead of 'Thought to be'?
Don't worry Trainman, they are sure. At least sure enough to convince a magistrate to grant them a search warrant. However, despite the fact that a bit of cannabis or coke is pretty easily identifiable to the average copper (some have greater experience than others, obviously) the police cannot normally give expert evidence on such matters so have to use this veiled terminology until analysis by a forensic scientist has verified their suspicions. I believe experienced officers routinely give evidence that a substance is cannabis but if contested it would still have to be forensically examined. I hope that answers your query.
[quote][p][bold]Trainman[/bold] wrote: When officers opened the jar they found several white rocks, thought to be crack, as well as bags of a white powder, thought to be cocaine, and herbal cannabis. In a separate blue carrier bag there was a massive haul of what appeared to be cocaine. The drugs were taken away by forensic officers and are being analysed. WHY are they Never sure before raiding places, instead of 'Thought to be'?[/p][/quote]Don't worry Trainman, they are sure. At least sure enough to convince a magistrate to grant them a search warrant. However, despite the fact that a bit of cannabis or coke is pretty easily identifiable to the average copper (some have greater experience than others, obviously) the police cannot normally give expert evidence on such matters so have to use this veiled terminology until analysis by a forensic scientist has verified their suspicions. I believe experienced officers routinely give evidence that a substance is cannabis but if contested it would still have to be forensically examined. I hope that answers your query. stropmag

3:51pm Mon 21 Mar 11

SafetySam says...

Reminder:
I must stop hiding the coffee and powdered milk from my wife.
I hide it under the patio and tell her we only have tea.
Unfortunately the sugar goes a little lumpy when it gets damp in the poly bag.
Reminder: I must stop hiding the coffee and powdered milk from my wife. I hide it under the patio and tell her we only have tea. Unfortunately the sugar goes a little lumpy when it gets damp in the poly bag. SafetySam

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