HUNDREDS of wraps of cocaine have been removed from the streets of south Essex following a series of police raids in the early hours of the morning.

Officers targeted homes in Southend, Rochford and Benfleet on Wednesday where they arrested nine people on suspicion of drug dealing.

The 200 wraps of cocaine found during the operation were thought to have a street value of £6,000.

Police say they also seized £20,000 in cash, £40,000 worth of designer clothes, knives, phones, syringes and jewellery.

Echo:

They also discovered a small cannabis farm growing inside a home in Southend.

A total of eight people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

They were from addresses across Southend, Shoebury, Rochford and Benfleet, and were aged between 22 and 44.

Echo:

A 51-year-old woman from Rochford was meanwhile arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

All nine suspects remain in custody for questioning.

Police said yesterday they were also searching two Mercedes and a garage in connection with the raids.

Echo:

Members of the disruptor team, operational support group and community policing team in Southend all took part in the pre-planned mission.

It formed part of an ongoing crackdown on organised crime across the county.

Sergeant Adam Jarvis, of the south disruptor team, said: “Drugs and crimes associated with drugs and drug use cause harm to vulnerable people, blight communities and can also lead to more serious types of crime and violence.

Echo:

“South Disruptor is here to tackle this, but we need your help and information to do so.

“Please tell us what you know about criminal and anti-social behaviour in your area. Car number plates, names, CCTV and doorbell images are particularly helpful, but any information related to crime and criminality may be useful to us.

“Don’t assume we already know.”

Anyone with information about drug dealing is asked to contact police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.