FOUR suspected drug dealers were taken off the streets off south Essex in the space of 24 hours as part of a police crackdown on gangs.

Operations were carried out at three locations in Basildon and Southend on Monday and Tuesday.

Two men, both from London, were arrested in Nether Priors, Basildon, at 6.20pm on the first day of the crackdown and charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.

At 5.30pm the following day officers from Essex Police’s specialist Operation Raptor team swooped on a car in Clifftown Road, Southend.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

He was later bailed until Thursday, November 17.

The fourth operation was carried out in Western Road, Southend, just minutes later.

A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession of class B or C drugs and obstructing a police officer.

Operation Raptor teams have been set up across the county to detect and disrupt gangs who travel to Essex to deal drugs and cause violence.

So far, officers have made more than 663 arrests and seized drugs worth nearly £1.2million.

They have also carried out more than 224 warrants and seized 51 vehicles.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Two men were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences in Southend last night by officers from Operation Raptor.

“A 27-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested at Clifftown Road, Southend at 5.30pm following a stop check on the vehicle in which he was travelling.

“He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and has been released on bail pending further investigation until November 17, 2016.

“Half an hour later at 6pm, a 35-year-old man was arrested at Western Road, Southend on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession of class B or C drugs and obstructing a police officer.

“He currently remains in custody.”

The two men arrested in Basildon appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Hanad Abdisalam, 23, of Holcroft Road, London and Abdul Quleten, 23, of Frampton Park Road, London, were charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.

Their next court date was not available by the time the Echo went to print.

The man arrested in Western Road, Southend, also remained in custody at time of going to press.

New Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst has placed tackling drug dealing and London gangs as one of his top priorities.

Last month, he pledged £100,000 towards a fund to combat the problem. Organisations will be able to bid for the cash so youngsters can escape a life of crime.

London gangs have been forced out of the capital, partly due to the success, of the Metropolitan Police’s Trident task force.