Three men have been charged as part of an investigation into the supply of Class A drugs and exploitation of young people.

Police launched the investigation after a number of "vulnerable" teenage boys from London were found to be in possession of drugs in Colchester.

Essex police then began investigating how they had travelled to the city.

As a result, three warrants were executed in London and Kent on Thursday, December 1.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of drugs and exploitation offences.

Richard Talawila, 21, of Achilles Street, London, Jimmy Songa, 24, of Park Road, London, and Joshua Van De Wetering, 18, of Heathside Avenue, Bexleyheath, have been charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and arranging or facilitating the travel of a person with a view to exploitation.

They appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, December 2.

No pleas were entered and all three were remanded into custody to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on January 6, 2023.

Detective Inspector James Healy, of Op Raptor North team, said: “Our teams target those who we believe are causing the highest harm in our communities; this is a job which is carried out 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and our desire to keep communities safe cannot be underestimated.

“Drugs, and unfortunately the serious violence which often goes alongside it, are a poison on our communities and we will work tirelessly to target those who we believe play a part in that.”