Southend police raid sees dozens of weapons seized

Essex Police has revealed they uncovered 24 weapons in a room at an address in Southend following a co-ordinated warrant.

Officers say they executed three raids at addresses in Southend, on March 7, uncovering dozens of weapons at one address and arresting three people.

This comes as Essex Police out on their crackdown around drugs, weapons, and cash.

Essex Police crackdown on drugs, weapons, and cash (Image: Essex Police)

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Op Raptor officers executed three co-ordinated warrants at addresses in Southend last Thursday.

“Phones including a suspected drug line device were seized, alongside a number of wraps of suspected Class A drugs.

“At one address alone, officers seized a three-figure sum of cash and a large amount of cannabis.

“In a room of the property, they found 24 weapons including machetes, knives, and knuckledusters.

Two knuckledusters confiscated during a warrant in Southend (Image: Essex Police)

“Five of the items were deemed to be offensive weapons under the relevant legislation.”

Across the week in Essex as a whole, officers seized 263g of crack cocaine, valued at more than £18,800, and 210g of heroin, valued at more than £17,000.

More than 2kg of cannabis was also uncovered, along with more than £5,000 in cash.

Officers confiscated more than 20 offensive weapons, including knives, knuckledusters and one imitation firearm.

Det Sgt Rob Maile, of Op Raptor South, said: “Finding offensive weapons of various and often quite horrifying varieties is sadly commonplace when dealing with matters relating to suspected county lines offending.

“The threat or use of violence either as a perceived means of protection, or as a tool for the enforcement of territory or debts, is a frequent feature of drug dealing.

“This is why we will continue to build cases against those suspected of being involved in bringing drugs and dangerous weapons into Essex.”

Det Chief Insp Neal Miller added: ““We work really hard to make sure our messaging is crystal clear:

“If you are being exploited, if you are falling victim to the criminal enterprise run by those at the top of these drug lines, we will help you.

“We will work with our partners across Essex to ensure you have the opportunity to escape the misery of addiction and control at the hands of organised criminals.

“But if you feel you can work to see drugs brought from London to Essex for sale as a viable business model – you couldn’t be more wrong.

“We are working to bring those running these drug lines, the people realising the profit, swiftly to justice.

“Our approach is working, the results are there for all to see: Essex is an extremely hostile environment for drug dealers.”