A POLICE raid uncovered a stash of cash and knives as well as evidence of drug dealing.

The strike was carried out as part of Operation Sceptre, a nationwide campaign to tackle knife crime and drug-dealing.

Officers suspected drug dealing had been carried out in Clacton town centre and believed there may be connections to a gang based in Newham, London.

Officers raided the house in Rosemary Road West which was broken up to be used by multiple occupants.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

In one bedsit, officers found a selection of colourful knives under a pillow in the bedroom.

Several hundreds of pounds were found stashed in a box.

One officer said the screwed up notes indicated they had been exchanged quickly in return for goods.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Police suspect the knives, which were in the bedroom and not the kitchen, would be used in self-defence.

Further investigation found items associated with drug use including lager cans with holes punctured in them, aluminium foil, pieces of plastic carrier bags, along with a small crack pipe.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

No-one was in the bedsit when officers arrived, however, they went to a neighbouring building and arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs.