£100,000 Cash and Drugs Seized as Police Bust Major Cocaine Ring
Essex cops smashed a major cocaine supply network linked to county lines gangs across west Essex, Hertfordshire, London and Suffolk. Nineteen suspects were arrested during pre-dawn raids on 18 properties in Harlow and Suffolk.
Massive Police Operation Targets Drug Kingpins
Officers swooped on 17 addresses in Harlow and one in Suffolk in a large-scale crackdown. They seized weapons, cash and drugs estimated to be worth £100,000. The operation focuses not just on street dealers but the criminal bosses supplying them.
Among those arrested were multiple men and women, aged 29 to 40, suspected of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. One woman faces money laundering charges. All remain in custody.
Top Cops Praise Raid as Major Blow to County Lines Gangs
“Taking out this organised criminal network is a major blow in drying up the supply to these gangs,” said Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Basford.
“By targeting every level of the chain, we’re making it harder for these criminals to operate and protecting vulnerable adults and children exploited for profit.”
Specialist officers from Operation Raptor, now part of the Serious Violence Unit set up in July, have been relentlessly working since May. They cracked sophisticated tricks used by criminals, including encrypted phones and cryptocurrency.
Local Leaders Back Police in War on Drugs
Harlow MP Robert Halfon praised the operation, saying: “This will have an enormous impact in reducing crime around Harlow and the town centre. Congratulations to all at Harlow Police.”
Harlow Council leader Mark Ingall hailed the meticulous police work, promising ongoing support to tackle organised crime in the area: “Thanks to Essex Police’s efforts, Harlow will be a safer place.”
Essex Police vow to keep up the pressure on drug gangs, targeting violent criminals and those exploiting vulnerable people, with zero tolerance for the county lines trade.
