An arrest has been made after a south Essex home was raided as part of a significant drugs probe.

Officers from teams across Essex Police were involved in the operation targeting the supply of Class A drugs during an early hours raid this morning.

A man, aged 33, was arrested at an address in Wickford as part of the investigation into supply in Chelmsford. He is being questioned on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.  

Echo: A man, 33, has been arrestedA man, 33, has been arrested (Image: Essex Police)

The investigation is led by the force's Op Orochi team, which is part of the serious violence unit and sees specially trained detectives identify and dismantle County Lines gangs and organised criminal groups intent on supplying drugs in Essex.

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Detective Chief Inspector Neal Miller, of our serious violence unit, said: “This morning, our teams made a significant arrest as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of Class A drugs in Chelmsford.

“Op Orochi exists to identify the most harmful of groups involved in drug supply and today is a significant step forward in this investigation.

“The supply of drugs exploits vulnerable people and causes serious violence, both of which are not tolerated here in Essex. We will always help people where that help is needed, but there are times when enforcement is our only option in order to reduce the risk to the public.”

Inspector Sam Girdlestone, of the Chelmsford community policing team, added: “We work with teams across the force in order to make sure we keep our city safe for everyone. Where people believe they can commit crime or are above the law, we will always take action.

“We know the supply of drugs is all-too-often linked with serious violence and the exploitation of young people and it is a key priority for us in Chelmsford and I would always encourage anyone with information which may be useful to us to please come forward, no matter how small.

“It may be that you do not see immediate action, but every report made to us feeds into either a patrol plans or an intelligence picture. Your information will never be wasted.”