POLICE have cracked down on drug use by making a number of arrests. 

The North Operation Raptor police team executed a warrant at St Peter’s Street, Colchester on Thursday, October 12 and arrested three people.

Libby Goswell, 19 of St Peter’s Street, was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and money laundering.

Liam Smith, 32, also of St Peter’s Street, was charged with two counts of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply.

Both appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, October 14.

Smith was remanded in custody and Goswell was release on bail and both will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on November 10.

A third man, 36, also from Colchester, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply. He has been released under investigation.

On Wednesday, October 11, officers arrested 21-year-old Ayo Awoyera during a stop check in Nayland Drive, Clacton.

He was subsequently charged and appeared in court on Friday, October 13 to face two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, two counts of possessing a Class B drug and money laundering. He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on November 10.

On Wednesday October 11, officers arrested and charged 52-year-old Paul Alexander of Station Road, Colchester with two counts of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply. He pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody and will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court for sentence on November 10.

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the North, South and West of the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime.

Anyone with information about drug or gang-related crime in their community can contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.