POLICE have arrested 11 people and uncovered a drugs ring after two separate operations in one town.
About 80 officers swooped on homes in Waltham Abbey on Wednesday night after months of investigations, arresting nine men aged between 19 and 51 and two women aged 22 and 46.
They targeted homes in the Crooked Mile, Paternoster Hill, Sewardstone Road, Honey Lane and Farm Hill Road.
A 27-year-old man was charged with possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply.
A 31-year-old man was charged with six drugs offences and a 19-year-old man was charged with seven drugs offences.
They all appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
A 39-year-old man was bailed until December 1, while a 42-year-old man was bailed until October 10.
The 51-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman were bailed until December 14.
A 23-year-old man was bailed until October 20.
Two men aged 22 and 40 received a caution and a 22-year-old woman was released without charge.
Inspector Paul Maleary, based at Epping police station, said: “Essex Police will continue to run operations to disrupt the lives of anyone who is suspected to be involved in dealing controlled drugs.
“Our message is clear. We will not tolerate those who deal in drugs and commit acquisitive crime which brings misery to others.
“Essex Police will ensure that all possible means will be used to dismantle the drug networks in the county.”
Another seven people accused are up in court next month accused of being part of a drugs ring.
Police seized a kilogram of cocaine, 300 kilograms of herbal cannabis and a cocaine press after a two-week investigation that began when they stopped two men in a van in Waltham Abbey.
They searched a home in Waltham Abbey and another just over the Hertfordshire border in Broxbourne before their investigation led them to Tendring.
Those arrested are from the Clacton area and are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 6.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Parkes, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, which led the operation, said: “The trafficking of controlled drugs is simply a revenue source for organised crime groups.
“For this reason, the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate focuses its attention on destroying their networks, imprisoning those responsible and seizing their assets.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here