Sniffing for drugs

Essex Police and British Transport ran a joint operation on Wednesday, June 16 warning drug dealers to stay away from Braintree.

Six Essex Police officers, four British Transport Police officers, and drugs dog Bella patrolled Braintree railway station, meeting passengers arriving from London and also checking anyone leaving Braintree.

Pc Jerry White, said: “Essex Police is determined to tackle drug abuse and the criminal behaviour associated with it. The operation is in response to community intelligence about people travelling to Braintree to sell drugs. Essex Police is determined to crack down on such behaviour, and warns anyone engaged in drug dealing to stay away from our communities.”

Four-year-old drugs dog Bella is a passive indicating dog, trained to identify any trace of controlled drugs to her handler, British Transport Police constable Steve Madden (pictured).

 The operation is in response to community intelligence about people travelling to Braintree to sell drugs.
Pc Jerry White

British Transport Police Sergeant Paolo Boggi said: “The aim of a partnership operation such as this is to send out a strong signal that the carrying of drugs or offensive weapons on the railway network will not be tolerated.

“We also hope that law-abiding passengers will be reassured by the fact that BTP and Essex Police treat such offences seriously and work hard to tackle them. Members of the public have the right to travel in safety and we will do all we can to ensure they are able to.”

The operation is one of a number planned during the coming weeks to send out the clear message that drug dealing will not be tolerated in Braintree. No-one was found to be in possession of drugs during the operation, and that’s the way officers would like it to stay.

Pc Jerry White adds: “We want the word to get out to anyone engaged in illegal activity that police will be continuing to run operations like this, to deter people from engaging in drug dealing or other illegal behaviour. Keep away from our communities.”

If you have any information about illegal or criminal behaviour, please contact your neighbourhood policing team on 0300 3334444, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.