DRUGS arrests in Essex have surged compared to pre-pandemic levels with experts warning residents are looking to illegal substances for "mental relief".

New figures show there were 7,261 drug-related deaths in 2020/21 - up 76 per cent on the year before when there were 4,111 arrests. 

It means Essex saw the third highest rise in the country, according to data from drug-rehabilitation firm Delamere.

The firm’s founder, Martin Preston, warns the “stress and uncertainty” of the pandemic is leading to a surge of drug use across the nation.

But bosses at Essex Police say the rising figures can partly be attributed to the force’s success over the last two years in targeting and cracking down on drug dealers.

Echo: Drug arrest on the riseDrug arrest on the rise

“Our Op Raptor and Disruptor teams work around the clock to gather intelligence and evidence so that when we carry out strikes against these gangs, many of those arrested have no option but to admit the charges levelled against them because of the overwhelming evidence we can present,” an Essex Police spokesman said.

“We take an uncompromising approach to drug supply and gangs and our message has been consistently clear – drugs and drug dealers are not welcome here.

“Last year the Op Raptor South team have disrupted or taken down around 90 county lines, made more than 160 arrests and charged and remanded around 120 people.”

Echo: Cannabis found in a Rayleigh drugs bustCannabis found in a Rayleigh drugs bust

So far this year, the force has executed ten major drugs raids across south Essex.

On January 22, thousands of pounds in cash, drugs and weapons were seized during a dramatic raid in Woodburn Close, Benfleet.

An illegal immigrant was meanwhile jailed after being forced to work in a £160,000 cannabis factory in Basildon on March 25.

Echo: 100 bags of weed ready to sell100 bags of weed ready to sell

On May 5, 100 bags of cannabis were seized and two men arrested following a raid in Lancer Way, Billericay.

And as recently as this week, six Southend men were charged with drug offences following a series of raids across the city on Tuesday morning.

Martin Terry, Southend Council's public protection boss, praised police efforts and labelled drugs a “cancer on society”.

“Drug gangs are responsible vast majority of violent attacks in our community directly related to drugs, particularly knife crime,” he said.