TWO suspected drug dealers were arrested after police raided homes across Canvey.

Wraps of white powder, thought to be crack cocaine or heroin, were found at a house in Church Parade as officers carried out one of three warrants.

Neighbours had raised the alarm after spotting suspicious activity.

The substance has been sent off by police to be tested.

Two people, a 42-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

They have since been bailed.

The island’s community policing team joined up with specialist units and emergency response officers to crack down on drug crime following a string of violence incidents on Canvey.

Officers raided premises in Marine Avenue and found 245g of cannabis drying out in a garage.

A man was given an adult caution for possession of cannabis.

In the third warrant police stormed a home in St Mark’s Road, where they found a small amount of cannabis thought to be for personal use.

The occupant of the address was fines and the drugs were confiscated and destroyed.

Ch Insp Glen Westley, district commander for Castle Point and Rochford, said: “This builds on the recent shooting on Canvey and the two men we have charged in connection with it.

“Although these matters are not connected, there is an extra focus on Canvey.

“We are trying to get additional patrols and resources on Canvey and these three warrants are reflective of that.”

Extra officers were drafted onto the island to tackle problem hotspots and reassure residents after two men were shot in Somnes Avenue in August.

Sgt Mark McQuade, from the Castle Point and Rochford community policing team, said: “My team continue to safeguard local communities by identifying offenders involved in drug related crime.

“Three drug warrants were executed on Canvey on Thursday and Friday and we had three positive results.

“Overall, two people were arrested.”

Anyone with information about drug activity in the local community can call Essex Police on 101.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.