DISRUPTOR officers targeting drugs gangs and serious violence in south and west Essex seized more than £850,000 of drugs in 2022.

Several warrants resulted in cannabis plants with an estimated total street value of £850,000 being seized during the year.

After executing a warrant in Ellerman Road, Tilbury, in August, disruptor officers seized a grow of 55 cannabis plants, with a street value of about £45,000.

Echo: Cramped - a tight living space found in a cannabis farmCramped - a tight living space found in a cannabis farm (Image: Essex Police)

Aldo Bilalaj, 20, later admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis and in October was sentenced to 15 months in jail.

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In all, the West Disruptor team was involved in the execution of 29 drugs warrants during 2022 and, as well as cannabis plants, they also seized cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and psilocybin mushrooms.

Detectives worked in Thurrock, Brentwood, Epping Forest and Harlow and arrested 129 people on suspicion of a variety of offences last year.

Echo: Crackdown - drugs seized by officersCrackdown - drugs seized by officers (Image: Essex Police)

Acting Sergeant Mitchell Baker, of West Disruptor, said: “Illegal drug supply, dealing and use causes harm and misery to vulnerable people in our communities and is associated with serious violence.

“The Disruptor teams were set up to tackle such law-breaking and we use a variety of policing tactics to prevent, investigate and tackle organised criminal activity and behaviour that impacts local communities.”