TWO men have been charged with drug supply offences after officers seized a blank-firing handgun, cocaine, cash and cannabis.

On Wednesday 22 January, our Operation Raptor team worked alongside Harlow Local Policing Team to respond to reports of a firearm being seen in an address in Harlow.

After officers arrived, a man attempted to flee the scene in a vehicle.

Two officers gave chase, stopped the car and searched the driver. This uncovered 28 bags of cocaine.

A search of the address recovered the handgun, further bags of cocaine, a four-figure sum of cash and a large quantity of cannabis.

Euron Hoxha, 18, of Trowbridge, in Wiltshire, and Can Bilgili, 20, of Enfield, in Middlesex, were charged with possession with intent to supply controlled drugs of Class A and B, as well as possession of criminal property.

They appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 24 January, where they were remanded in custody until a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday 21 February.

Detective Inspector Richard Trower, of Op Raptor, said: “This was a good example of coordination between our teams, working to tackle drug supply and reports of weapons seen in Harlow.
“After a substantial amount of further work, charges were secured against two men, who have been remanded in prison.

“We’re working hard to disrupt criminal activity across Harlow.
“Action like this proves we will respond and listen to reports of this nature and I would urge the community to feel confident in reporting any suspicious activity to us.”