Three people die across Colchester as police continue drugs investigation

Three people have been arrested as part of an investigation into drug supply in Colchester. The police probe is linked to the drug-related deaths of three people in the city.

Two people had sadly died in the city over the weekend with a third death reported on Tuesday (May 14). A fourth man had also taken ill in the city on Tuesday. Thankfully, medics were able to treat him, and he has survived.

Officers working to disrupt and dismantle drugs gangs in Essex launched an investigation into where each of the men had obtained the suspected Class A drugs. As part of that investigation, officers from Op Raptor identified a wooded area near the city centre where a drug line of interest appeared to be dealing.

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Further enquiries led officers to a residential area close by. Officers were deployed to that area on Tuesday and, during the operation, a man attempted to run from police. After a chase, he was safely taken to the ground and arrested. A number of significant items were recovered from him.

Two other people were located after officers forced entry to a nearby address. These people are being treated as victims of cuckooing and are being supported by specialist officers and partners. Cuckooing is an intrusive method drug dealers use to create a base close to their customers by taking over vulnerable people’s homes.

Detectives have charged a man, 20, from London, with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of a knife. He appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (May 15).

As the investigation continued at pace, officers from the Essex and Metropolitan Police Service Op Orochi teams – which specialise in analysing communications data – identified two other people of interest.

During a planned warrant late on Tuesday night, two men were arrested in Wanstead, East London, on suspicion of drug supply offences. A number of significant items were also seized. Both men remain in custody today for questioning.

nspector Mark Jones, who leads the Op Raptor team in the North of Essex, said: "The speed at which this investigation progressed as a result of three tragic deaths in Colchester has led to three very significant arrests and the seizure of a number of items which will be central to our investigation.

"These arrests – and the one charge secured at this stage – of course in no way make up for the loss of life in Colchester. But make no mistake, if people think they can act above the law and supply illicit drugs in Essex we will take the most robust action available to us. Op Raptor sits within Essex Police's Serious Violence Unit where we have a range of specialist skills to disrupt and dismantle county lines."

Inspector Jones added: "Along with enforcement, the team works tirelessly with our partners to support and safeguard the vulnerable people who are often exploited as part of county lines model.

"Those who sell drugs cause significant harm in our communities. They may think they can get away with it but we will relentlessly pursue anyone who tries to sell drugs in Essex."

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