A 34-YEAR-old man has been charged with firearms and drugs offences following a raid on an address in Laindon.

Gjekson Pusi, 34, Hartington Street, Derby, was arrested by firearms officers executing a search warrant early on Monday (23 May).

Firearms officers from the Essx Police Support Unit, together with officers from its Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the Dog Section and Police Search Team executed search warrants in Laindon and Westcliff.

During searches of two properties, and a car at one of the addresses, officers seized a firearm, suspected Class A drugs, large bags of vacuum-packed cannabis bud, several thousands of pounds in cash and drugs paraphernalia.

Cash found during the police operation.

Pusi has been charged with possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of crack cocaine and production of cannabis, as well as possession of criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

A firearms amnesty is running until 5pm on Sunday 29 May to allow people to surrender any unwanted or unlicensed firearms and ammunition to ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands. 

The public are encouraged to hand in unwanted firearms, ammunition, imitation firearms and air or gas-powered weapons to one of eight police stations across the county, including Basildon.

During the amnesty, anyone surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for illegal possession. They can also choose to remain anonymous when handing the items in.

The history of each weapon, however, will be checked to determine whether it has been linked to any crimes