AN 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply following a raid at a house in Basildon.

Acting on intelligence, officers from Essex Police’s South Operation Raptor and Basildon Community Policing teams carried out the raid at the home in Little Lullaway, Basildon today. 

They seized what is believed to be Class A drugs and arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.

Acting district commander Steve Parry of, Basildon police, said: “We are continuing to target those intent on dealing drugs and causing associated harm and crime in our communities.

“We would continue to urge people in the community to give us their information about drug or gang-related activity in their community. We will act on their information.”

The arrest comes as Essex Police continues to target those involved in the supply of drugs, including so-called ‘county line’ gangs.

One man was arrested after an earlier raid the previous day at an address in Billericay.

Officers from Essex Police’s community policing team joined Op Raptor to conduct a warrant at the home.

A spokesman for the CPT said: “As a result of this, we now have one adult male in custody who was also wanted for a stabbing that occurred in London.

“A quantity of cash, drugs and several mobile phones were also seized.”

He remains in custody.

County Line gangs are normally based in larger cities and rely on a mobile phone line to supply drugs into smaller counties, towns, rural and coastal areas.

If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community contact Essex Police on 101.

Alternatively, if you would rather remain anonymous, you can contact independent crimefighting charity on Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also use their online form at Crimestoppers.org.uk