POLICE raided two Braintree homes as part of a countywide crackdown that resulted in the arrests of 28 suspected drug dealers.
Two properties, one in Bailey Bridge Road, near John Bunyan Infant School, and one in Templar Road, were targeted in the latest initiative by Essex Police to prevent the supply of Class A drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin.
Detective Chief Inspector John Ross said: "We have definitely made a dent in the supply of drugs in North Essex and in large part this is down to information from members of the public.
"As a result, these gangs are finding it harder to operate in our towns and they know they are not welcome. We also know these people are involved in violence such as street robbery and we have seen a significant reduction in this offence over the past six weeks in Colchester, Braintree and Chelmsford.
"If anyone suspects that drug dealing is taking place in their neighbourhoods please call us and we will investigate the matter."
The operation, codenamed Saturn, also saw Bramwoods Road, Haig Court, Parklands Way and Tasman Court in Chelmsford, as well as Normandy Avenue in Burnham-on-Crouch raided.
In all, some 28 people were arrested and police seized more than 800 ready-to-sell "wraps" of suspected Class A drugs.
The operation began in May and has been targeting suspected criminal gangs who travel into the area from outside the county.
John Kasper, of Templar Road, Braintree, told the Chronicle: "I heard there had been some raids down the other end of the road. There's been a bit of trouble down there as there have been a few raids over the last year or so."
Another Templar Road resident, who did not want to be named, added: "They came early in the morning, we didn't hear the raids when they actually happened, the police must have finished before we woke up and they must have been very quiet."
The Operation Saturn team was put together to bring down these groups by disrupting their drug-dealing activity on the streets and in properties in north Essex.
As well as the suspected Class A drugs, officers also seized 13 quantities of what is believed to be cannabis and a large amount of what is thought to be methadone.
A total of 18 search warrants have been executed in the past weeks and 20 people currently remain on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply.
Two suspects from Colchester have been charged with supply, one with possession of cocaine and one with possession of a controlled drug.
A further 31 suspects were also stopped and searched in relation to possible drugs activity.
A Clacton man was found to be in possession of 13 suspected wraps of Class A drugs and was arrested for possession with intent to supply and is currently on bail.
Anyone with information about drug-dealing or the gangs involved in North Essex can contact the team at Braintree Police Station on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
