Drug Line Arrests - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Drug Line Arrests – A VIABLE firearm was seized and seven arrests were made as officers from across the force worked together to target a drug line fuelling violence and exploitation in Southend.

Drug Line Arrests - A VIABLE firearm was seized and seven arrests were made as officers from across the force worked together to target a drug line fuelling violence and exploitation in Southend.

A VIABLE firearm was seized and seven arrests were made as officers from across the force worked together to target a drug line fuelling violence and exploitation in Southend.

The drug line, operating under the name ‘Mali’ and based in Luton, saw crack cocaine and heroin sold on the streets of south Essex.

The line was linked to incidents of violence and the exploitation of vulnerable people’s homes to sell drugs – a practice known as ‘cuckooing’. Cuckooing is a practice where people take over a person’s home and use the property to facilitate exploitation. It takes the name from cuckoos who take over the nests of other birds.

In a large-scale operation, officers from across the Serious Violence Unit executed six warrants in Luton on Thursday 1 May.

They were supported by teams from the Serious Crime Directorate, Operational Support Group, Bedfordshire Police and Eastern Region Special Operations Unit.

Amongst the items seized, officers recovered more than £24,000 in cash and a handgun with six rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Seven arrests were made at the addresses.

Five men, aged 44, 26, 21, 19 and 18, and two teenage boys, aged 17 and 16, all from Bedfordshire, were taken into custody for questioning on suspicion of drug supply offences.

Temporary Detective Inspector Rob Maile, of the dedicated drug enforcement team Operation Raptor, said: “This is a complex and ongoing investigation aimed at disrupting a county line which has caused significant issues in Southend.

“We’ve had a proactive and busy month in targeting the drug trade behind the vast majority of incidents of violence we see in south Essex.”

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