Dunmow man charged with drugs offences

A Dunmow man has been arrested in a police crackdown on gang activity in Essex.

Essex Police arrested 17 people in a three-day campaign part of Operation Raptor, between June 21 and 23, to tackle gang members who travel into the area to sell drugs, cause violence and carry weapons.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Dean O’Neill, of Wainsfield Villages, Dunmow, who was wanted for failing to answer bail, was arrested in Railway Street, Braintree.

He has been charged with being concerned in the supply of a class A drug, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine and two counts of cannabis possession.

The 42-year-old was due to appear in Colchester Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday).

Most of the police activity was focused on Chelmsford, Braintree, Colchester, Tendring, Southend, Basildon, Castle Point, Thurrock and Epping.

Superintendent Paul Wells, who is leading Operation Raptor, said: “Drug dealing and violence between rival gangs understandably causes high levels of harm and unrest in our communities.

“I hope this week’s activity and the results achieved by the Operation Raptor teams so far help to reassure concerned residents that we are not ignoring the issue and are working to bring to justice gang members who think they can travel to Essex to commit their crimes.”

If you have information about gang activity where you live, call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.