Council homes targeted in major drugs raids in Southend

Published by Ross Macmillan for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Southend council has fired an eviction warning to tenants found guilty of drug offences following police raids at a number of its addresses this morning.

Nearly 20 people were arrested as part of efforts to combat Class A drug-dealing in the town.

Fully supported by the council and its ALMO South Essex Homes - which manages more than 6,000 homes - officers executed the search warrants at 20 flats and houses in and around the town as well as in east London arresting 18 people.

It marks the second phase of the operation which has been running since October 2011.

A statement from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council said it fully supports the drugs enforcement action.

It said: "Some of the addresses targeted following the execution of warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act are council properties managed by South Essex Homes.

"Possession proceedings which could ultimately lead to eviction will be commenced against any tenants found to have been in breach of their tenancy conditions as a result of police action."

Police are looking to crack down on the consumption, supply and distribution of cocaine and heroin at the seaside resort.

Officers executed the warrants just after 7.30am and arrested boys, men and women aged between 16 and 49 from the Southend and south-east London areas for a variety of drugs offences.

Operation co-ordinator, DCI Stuart Hooper, said: "Today is just the arrest phase of this operation and there is still some way to go before the conclusion of Operation Okra.

"However, residents and retailers in Southend should be assured and reassured by our overt actions today and our covert work throughout the past few months to eradicate drug-dealing.

"These criminals are a scourge on society and need to be taken out of circulation. By doing so, we are helping to enhance the quality of life for people living and working in the area.”

The operation was conducted through a combination of neighbourhood intelligence and covert police work from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.