Police in North Essex have arrested 28 people and seized more than 800 wraps of suspected Class A drugs as part of Operation Saturn.

Police executed a warrant in Normandy Avenue, Burnham, as well as houses in Chelmsford, Clacton and Braintree. 

The operation, which began in May, has been targeting suspected criminal gangs who travel into the area from outside the county.

The dedicated team was put together to bring down these groups by disrupting their drug dealing activity on the streets and in properties across the North Local Policing Area.

As well as the suspected Class A drugs – including crack cocaine and heroin, officers have also seized 13 quantities of what is believed to be cannabis and a large amount of suspected Methadone.

A total of 18 search warrants have been executed in the past weeks and 20 people currently remain on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply.

Two suspects have been charged with supply, one with possession of cocaine and one with possession of a controlled drug.

Anyone with information about drug dealing or the gangs involved can contact Braintree Police Station on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.