DEALERS are being warned their behaviour will not be tolerated after a drugs den has been shut down.

Partnership work between police’s drugs teams and a housing association saw four people arrested and evicted from the property.

The building in Shoebury High Street was linked to the supply of class A drugs through intelligence-based investigations by Essex Police’s Operation Raptor drugs team.

As a result, it was the subject of joint visits by Estuary Housing, who manage the property, and Op Raptor.

On June 7 last year, police officers visited the property and arrested four people – a 43-year-old woman and three men, aged 18, 27 and 68 – on suspicion of possessing a class A drug with intent to supply.

All four were released under investigation while the police investigation continues.

In parallel to their enquiries, Estuary Housing began civil proceedings which led directly to the recovery of the property.

The occupants have now been evicted which housing bosses say will have a significant positive impact on the community.

Ian Martin, Executive Director of Operations at Estuary Housing said: “The association does not take possession proceedings lightly but where there are offences taking place we will take action, working with police and other agencies to ensure our residents can enjoy their homes in peace.

“We take the wellbeing and safety of our residents and the community extremely seriously and will not tolerate this kind of anti-social behaviour.”

A spokesperson for the South Operation Raptor team added: “We continue to work with our partners to robustly target those involved in the use or supply of drugs.

“Where our communities tell us there is drug-related crime we will act on that information and do all we can to remove these individuals from our streets.”

Essex Police set up Op Raptor teams across the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime. If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.