Two people have been charged following warrants executed by specialist drug officers investigating the supply of heroin and cocaine in the Thurrock area. 

Officers with Operation Raptor, the Essex Police team dedicated to cracking down on gang activity, is continuing its work to dismantle a county line supplying Class A drugs into Essex from London. 

As part of their investigation, officers conducted two simultaneous warrants alongside colleagues with the Metropolitan Police at addresses in Barking and Lewisham. 

The searches were carried out on Wednesday, 31 May, with officers seizing drugs, weapons and mobile phones. 

Leston Barzey, 36, of Wakering Road, Barking, and Shakara Manning, 32, of Hatfield Close, London, have since been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, weapons offences including possession of a firearm, and producing a controlled drug at Class B.

Barzey also faces two charges of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug at Class A.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody. Manning appeared alongside Barzey and was granted conditional bail. 

Both are due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, 26 June 2023.

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