DRAMATIC footage shows the moment police cut through a door and forced their way into a Thurrock home prior to arresting a man who has now been jailed.

The target of police attention was cocaine and cannabis dealer Luke Clements, 36, who directed a 16-year-old boy to sell drugs on his behalf.

He has been jailed following a proactive investigation into concerns raised in Thurrock. Essex Police's dedicated drug enforcement team, known as Operation Raptor, works to identify and target those responsible for bringing drugs, violence and exploitation into communities across Essex.

One investigation focused on a drugs line supplying cocaine and cannabis across South Ockendon, Grays, Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope after residents reported concerns about drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour.

In August 2025, officers arrested a 16-year-old boy who was involved in the supply of cannabis.

The subsequent investigation uncovered evidence showing the teenager was being directed by Clements.

Messages recovered by detectives showed Clements pressuring the boy to prioritise drug deals.

In one message, he told the teenager he needed "to start getting up early" because he was missing deals.

In another, he encouraged him to ignore advice from his carer to seek medical treatment for an injury and instead continue running drugs.

As detectives built their case, they executed a warrant at Clements' address in November 2025.

During a search of the property, officers seized cannabis, scales, deal bags and two drug line phones.

Clements admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis. At Basildon Crown Court last week he was sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

Detective Sergeant Tom Whelan-Bassett, of Op Raptor, said: "We want to reassure our communities that concerns about drug dealing and anti-social behaviour are being acted upon.

"Our officers work tirelessly to build evidence against those involved in supplying illegal drugs and causing harm in our communities.

"This investigation uncovered evidence showing a teenager was being directed to support this drugs line while those responsible attempted to distance themselves from the criminality.

"Drug dealers may believe using others will keep them out of sight and out of reach of the police. Cases like this show they are mistaken.

"We also have safeguarding officers embedded within our teams who work alongside partners to support people who are vulnerable to exploitation linked to drug networks.

"The sentence handed to Clements reflects the serious harm caused not only by the drugs being supplied, but by the impact these networks have on the people they draw into their criminality.

"We will continue targeting those responsible wherever they operate in Essex."