Dozens of suspects have been arrested during two police operations aimed at cracking down on the supply of class A drugs in Essex.
The operations, dubbed Erasure and Booth, were aimed at combating the activities of drug-dealing gangs in Southend attempting to establish themselves as the dominant supplier in the area.
A total of 73 people have been detained for drugs offences, and 12 warrants have been executed and six properties in Southend. More than 250 wraps of heroin and crack were recovered by police and others have been flushed away before police could intervene.
Investigations also showed that the alleged drug dealers were picking on vulnerable women living in Southend and using their homes as a base to supply users.
The women were forced to cooperate with the criminals through a mixture of fear and threats and their homes became a focal point for anti-social behaviour and drug-related violence.
Chief Inspector Simon Anslow, the Southend district commander said: "On July 22 following the success of operation Erasure we saw the potential for new drug dealers moving into the town and trying to get a hold over local people.
"We moved proactively to focus our activity to prevent this.
"Since July 22 officers working on Op Booth have used disruptive and intrusive engagement tactics to prevent gang members from supplying drugs and moreover to safeguard the vulnerable females being targeted.
"Drug use is a problem that goes beyond the sole responsibility of the police to solve; it is society's problem and solutions can't be found in enforcement alone.
"That said. I know that the police need to be part of a solution, to reduce the impact on communities and minimise the harms caused to everyone involved.
"Realistically, we won't be able to prevent every drug deal or stop every drug-related assault in the town, but that won't stop us trying, so we will continue to work day and night to make Southend safer for everyone.
Anyone who sees drug dealing in progress should dial 999, or with any less urgent information call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
