Five arrested as part of raids targeting Class A drug dealing across Essex
Officers searched 11 properties in south and west Essex, as well as in Kent.
Five people have been arrested during a series of raids targeting the sale of Class A drugs across Essex this morning.
It's part of an investigation launched in 2020 after officers broke into a secure messaging service called EncroChat, which was used by criminals across the world.
Officers searched 11 properties in south and west Essex, as well as in Kent.
Police have seized a number of items including cash.
Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, of Essex Police, is leading the investigation.
He said: “As part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of Class A drugs into Essex, this morning we have executed 11 warrants and arrested five people.
“This is a co-ordinated strike against supply lines in Essex and is the culmination of a detailed and in-depth investigation.
“The role of the serious and organised crime unit is to identify supply lines and investigate those we believe to be involved in them.
“Drugs are a poison on our society and those responsible for their supply prey on most vulnerable in our society. We exist to stop that.”