Kent Man and Eight Others Busted in Major Essex and London Drug Crackdown
Stephen Hart Among Nine Arrested in Romford Raids
A 53-year-old man from Kent is set to face the music next month after being caught up in a significant drug bust across Essex and London. Stephen Hart of Thornden Wood Road, Herne Bay, was one of nine people arrested on the morning of 7 October during police raids in Romford.
Police executed seven warrants targeting drug sales in Essex. Hart now faces serious charges including conspiring to supply Class A drugs, producing Class B drugs, and possessing a shortened shotgun.
He appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 10 October and is due back in court at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 November.
More Arrests and Charges Follow
The crackdown didn’t stop there. Craig Phillips, 48, from Buckles Lane, South Ockendon, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He will appear at Basildon Crown Court on 5 November.
Meanwhile, six other men were hit with similar drug conspiracy charges last week:
- Russell Hands, 43, of The Chase, Wickford
- Michael Read, 53, of Crouch Road, Grays
- Mark Scarborough, 34, of Adams Glade, Rochford
- Mark Gooch, 37, of Sandringham Road, Pilgrims Hatch
- Conrad Deprose, 28, of Alicia Avenue, Wickford
- Jeremy Goldner, 53, of Northolm, Edgware
Four of these men are due in Basildon Crown Court on 5 November. Deprose and Goldner are scheduled to appear later this year at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.
Woman Released on Bail, Man Under Investigation
A 44-year-old woman from Canvey Island has been released on bail until 2 November, and a 19-year-old man from Pilgrims Hatch has been released under investigation.
Operation Venetic: How Police Cracked the Criminal Network
This major bust is part of the ongoing fallout from Operation Venetic, a worldwide police operation targeting EncroChat – a secretive encrypted phone network favoured by criminals for drug deals and money laundering.
EncroChat boasted 60,000 users globally, including roughly 10,000 in the UK. The service allowed criminals to communicate securely and coordinate illegal activities.
Since 2016, international forces have been closing in. Early this year, French and Dutch authorities infiltrated EncroChat’s network, sharing vital intelligence with Europol and national agencies, leading to dozens of arrests including these recent Essex and London swoops.
