Updated: Police drugs raids

From the archive, first published Sunday 15th Apr 2007.

EIGHT people have appeared in court on drugs charges following a joint Essex Police and Metropolitan Police investigation.

It follows raids on homes in Basildon, Corringham and Danbury in mid-Essex.

Ronald Pyke, 56, of Coombe Rise, Stanford le Hope, a plumber, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Joy Dunn, 56, of Oak Road, Billericay, was charged under the Proceeds of Crime Act for being involved with the acquisition, retention and use of criminal property.

Peter Dunn, 56, of Oak Road, Billericay, was charged with the same offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Robert Gregory, 55, of Oak Avenue, Billericay, a managing director, was charged with same offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act and conspiring to supply cocaine.

Gillian Gregory, 56, of Oak Avenue, Billericay, an accountant, was charged with same offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act and conspiring to supply cocaine.

Courtney McCleary, 37, of Lawson Close, Loughborough, a shopkeeper, was charged with conspiring to supply cocaine.

Tony Turgott, 37, of Auckland Close, Nottingham, a debt collector, was accused of conspiring to supply cocaine.

John White, 58, of Twitty Fee, Danbury, appeared in court after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The eight people arrested as part of the operation appeared at West London Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning.

Other people arrested were a 25 year-old man from Danbury and a 32 year-old woman from Stanford-le-Hope.

They have both been released on police bail pending further enquiries, until June 28 and May 16 respectively.