AN ONGOING police operation in Maldon district has seized drugs and cash totalling around £85,000.

The latest swoop - at Heybridge on Saturday, 8 August, saw a five-figure sum of cash, class A drugs, a hammer and a metal pole seized from a car in Hillary Close. Two men, aged 22 and 31, from Heybridge have been arrested and released pending further investigation.

The incident follows a raid on a house in Wood Road on 29 July and another at Fitch's Crescent, Maldon, on 4 May. A large quantity of cash and drugs were seized.

A 25-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences in connection with the July event. Two men, aged 56 and 20, both from Maldon, were arrested in connection with the Fitch's Crescent swoop. All four have been released under investigation.

Maldon's town centre police team thanks the community for its support in tackling criminal activity

The operation has seen Maldon town centre police team working with colleagues across the force to gather information on drug dealing in the district.

PC Ryan Mutlow, from the town centre team, said: "We are working every day to ensure our communities are safe and are taking robust action against the minority of people who are involved in the sale of illegal drugs.

"We will not tolerate drug dealing, which is closely associated with violence and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

"I want to thank the community for your ongoing support, as your information is really important in helping us gather the evidence we need to target those involved and bring offenders to justice."

Richard Holmes, director of service delivery at Maldon District Council, said: "I am really pleased that this operation has been so successful and that a large quantity of drugs and weapons have been taken off of our streets.

"The excellent work of Essex Police's town centre team is ensuring that criminal activity in the district is disrupted and those responsible are brought before the courts. This gives a clear message that such activity will not be tolerated."

Anyone with information about drug dealing in the local community should call the Maldon Town Centre Team on 101 or report online at the Essex Police website

Alternatively contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at the Crimestoppers website