DOORS were bust down in a series of dawn raids across Canvey as drugs, weapons and cash were seized by police targeting a gang based on the island. 

At least four “key members” of a drugs gang were arrested yesterday morning as Essex Police carried out a crackdown on dealers on the island. 

Homes in Seaview Road, Mornington Road, The Brindles, Keer Avenue, Hilberry Road, and Village Drive were all raided and police seized hauls of Class A drugs, cash as well as weapons, including knives. Echo: Small packets believed to contain Class A drugs were found in a safe which police smashed open.Small packets believed to contain Class A drugs were found in a safe which police smashed open. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

 

Chief Insp Paul Hogben said: “The team is happy that the people arrested today are at the very top of the tree. These people are not just dealers, they control the drug lines.

“This group is believed to use violence to exploit older people. They use intimidation tactics to get people to run drugs for them and use violence to recover debts.

“The Operation Falcon team has a reputation for dismantling these gangs from the top down. They have secured decades in prison sentences and recovered hundreds of thousands of pounds. They make Castle Point the most hostile place for drugs gangs.”

 

Echo: A stolen motorbike was recovered from a house in Village Drive.A stolen motorbike was recovered from a house in Village Drive. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

 

During the six raids, several thousand pounds in cash was seized, along with key evidence of drug supply and weapons, such as knives.

During the raid at Village Drive, two men were found inside the home but a wanted man is now on the run. 

Mr Hogben said: “He will know police have dismantled his network, and he’ll know we’re after him.

“Our priority is to turn over every rock until we find him. We are particularly good at hunting people down.”

 

Echo: Officers found a false number plate while searching inside and outside the house.Officers found a false number plate while searching inside and outside the house. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

 

A safe was found in the upstairs bedroom of the Village Drive home. 

They found dozens of small quantities of Class A drugs, believed to be cocaine or amphetamine, wrapped in disused lottery tickets.

Another officer uncovered a black Suzuki motorbike which, it was later revealed, was stolen from a property in Chelmsford. It was also seized.

Mr Hogben added: “We have enough evidence to show the Crown Prosecution Service there is a real prospect of conviction and to lock them up in the meantime.

“The main result for the public is we can keep them inside and stop them selling drugs on the street. But a huge amount of work will continue on the investigation.”