Dawn raids as police specialist teams chase down supply lines of drugs

EARLY morning raids took place in Grays as part of a crackdown on drug suppliers in the town.

Officers from Essex Police's west Disruptor Team, joined by colleagues from the force's Operational Support Group executed a series of warrants in Grays and seized a quantity of suspected Class A drugs, Class B amphetamines and an assortment of weapons, including several large machetes.

The west Disruptor Team is one of three in Essex working to prevent, investigate and tackle organised criminal activity and behaviour that impacts local communities. The latest raids took place on Saturday, 22 May.

Its officers work with other local and specialist teams to have a disruptive effect on crime and antisocial behaviour at a neighbourhood level to keep communities safe and bring offenders to justice.

A 28-year-old man from Grays was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Police said: "He has since been released under investigation and our enquiries continue."

Yesterday (Monday, 24 May) Thurrock Nub news reported on a new police initiative to raise awareness of the process of 'cuckooing' when criminal gangs take advantage of vulnerable people to set up drug supply bases in towns.