MP for Southend West has joined Essex Police on a major drugs raid.
On Tuesday morning Anna Firth attended ‘Operation Community’ - an organised drugs warrant at an address in Southend.
Operation Community’ involved the deployment of the Community Policing Team led by Southend Police Station Inspector Paul Hogben and his colleague Serjeant Nicola Drake. The team forced entry into a property in Southend, where they found approximately 100 cannabis plants in three rooms and the loft.
A large amount of hydroponic equipment was located throughout which over the course of the morning were removed for evidence. A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis and remains in custody.
Firth was instrumental in the operation from the knocking down of the front door to the property search where they discovered around 100 plants grown throughout the 3-floor property. Firth was amazed by how normal the house appeared from the outside and how the inside had been structured by partition walls to mask the appearance and smell of what was actually going on inside.
Following the raid, Anna said:
Today was an incredible insight into the constant challenges and operations facing Southend police.’
‘The team conducted the operations with swift force and were able to arrest the man on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis.’
‘I was shocked! I have been down this street numerous times - I am sure even to this very address - and to the naked eye it looks like every other house down the street.’
Sergeant Paul Hogben, leading the Community Policing Team today, said:
“My officers remain at the address to seize plants and equipment used in a large cannabis grow. Everything will be removed as evidence. Drugs have a long-lasting impact on communities, either through drug use, or through the anti-social behaviour surrounding drug supply.
Essex Police are committed to tackling organised crime within the county. The harm these cannabis cultivations cause goes far beyond the drug use itself. They also contribute to serious violence and exploitation of vulnerable people. We rely heavily on members of the public to provide us intelligence about things they see in their community. While it can be frustrating at times, when people don’t see immediate action, rest assured we are collating and developing intelligence, to allow us to approach the courts for warrants. Where there is sufficient intelligence, we will take action, and hold those responsible to account.
Essex Police invest significant resources in disrupting drug activity and identifying those responsible. We will continue to work with partners to tackle this issue and would call on residents across Southend to tell us what they know about drugs and who is dealing them so that we can put a stop to it.”
