Weapons and cash seized by police in early hours Basildon drugs raid

Police have seized air pistols and money during an early hours drugs warrant at a Basildon home.

Essex Police officers from Operation Mantis, who are part of the community policing team, have executed a raid in the early hours of the morning in Basildon.

A “significant amount” of cash and weapons have been seized by the officers, which include air pistols and knuckledusters.

The warrant was executed as part of an investigation into the sale and distribution of controlled substances.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis.

He remains in custody.

A spokesman for the force said: “This has been the result of months of planning and evidence gathering pertaining to the sale and distribution of controlled substances.”

Operations Mantis was launched to target individuals known to be involved in knife crime, drug dealing and robbery after several incidents in the town last year.

The aim of Mantis is to disrupt and deter offending and bring those police know are committing these crimes before the courts.