Chainsaw-wielding police raid Harlow homes and seize Class A drugs, cash and weapons

Four people have been arrested after warrants were executed at four addresses in a Harlow estate. Officers from the Operational Support Group (OSG) used chainsaws to enter the properties alongside colleagues from the Harlow Community Policing Team.

The raids were carried out at 6.30am on April 18 under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. A substantial quantity of Class A drugs and cash were discovered stashed in a safe at one of the addresses.

Drugs and an offensive weapon were seized at two of the other properties. Two men and two women were arrested for possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and were taken to Harlow police station for questioning.

Read more: Serious crash in Essex leaves two people fighting for their lives as police appeal for witnesses

Read more: 'Erratic' driver that was swerving across the road found with drugs down his trousers

Another woman will be attending a voluntary interview related to possession of Class A drugs. Inspector Leanne Archer of Harlow Community Policing Team said: "This is an extremely good result for the team.

"It’s the latest in a series of warrants we have carried out in the last few weeks that have led to arrests and the seizure of drugs and weapons. If you deal drugs in Harlow, you will be caught.

"We are grateful for the information we have received from the public and a lot of hard work has been going on in the background to pursue offenders. Drug dealing exploits vulnerable people and damages communities. It also fuels other forms of offending from shoplifting and anti-social behaviour to serious violence.

"If anyone suspects drug dealing is taking place in their local area, please report it to us or if you’d prefer to report anonymously, you can contact Crimestoppers. The more we know, the more we can do to keep communities safe from this type of offending."

Get more court and crime news from EssexLive straight to your inbox for FREE