A FURTHER suspected drugs den has been raided by police, as officers vowed to “relentlessly pursue” a gang of London dealers.
Police carried out the drugs bust on the house in Rayside, Basildon, following information it was being used as a drug dealing base by the “Bush Boys” gang.
It is thought the gang began operating from the home after another den in Roodegate, Basildon, was shut down by police last week.
Police believe the Bush Boys – who originate from North London but have been operating in Basildon for well over a year – have now again moved on elsewhere following the latest drugs bust.
Sgt Paul Costin, of the Basildon West neighbourhood policing team, said: “Although no drugs were found at the premises we had good information to suggest it was being used by the Bush Boys.
“We want that gang to know we will relentlessly pursue them until we have locked up all of them or forced them to leave our area.”
Last week, police raided a flat in Roodegate, Basildon which was being squatted in by drug addicts and members of the gang.
As police bashed down the flat’s front doors, two of the flat’s illegal occupants tried to escape by jumping out of the window, but were later arrested and bailed.
The property is one of several around the borough police suspect has been used by the gang to peddle drugs.
They are known to take over homes belonging to vulnerable people, such as drug addicts or those with learning disabilities, and use them as a base to sell their illegal wares.
Following the raid on Roodegate last Thursday, the home has been completely boarded up by Family Mosaic – the housing association who own the property – with metal shutters over the windows and doors.
Sgt Costin added: “This is excellent news, we have completely disrupted the drug dealing activity at this property and the residents are extremely pleased.”
l Officers carried out the bust on the home in Rayside on Saturday morning. They arrested one 30-year-old woman, who was wanted for breaching a court order issued by Basildon Crown Court. The woman is due to appear in court later this month.
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