Detectives today claimed to have cracked a major drug-making operation primed to flood the Christmas market.

Thousands of tablets, along with drug-making equipment, were seized by detectives in a raid on a Basildon home.

The pills, believed to be Ecstasy and amphetamines, were said to have been made at the home and distributed throughout south Essex and east London. The raid followed a lengthy surveillance operation by the National Crime Squad.

Three men and two women, aged between 48 and 55, were today being held at police stations in Basildon.

Detectives said the operation was set to make a killing during the millennium celebrations.

Operation leader Det Chief Insp Michael Deats said: "I believe the intention of those arrested was to flood the Christmas market with these illegal tablets.

"I am convinced we have seriously disrupted the activities of those involved in this network and severely reduced the potential availability of these pills over the forthcoming Christmas period within Essex and the east London area."

Detectives would not disclose the exact location of the factory, but said the pills were seized from a home close to the A127.

The haul is being analysed and its exact street value has yet to be worked out.

Det Chief Insp Deats added: "I hope we have frustrated and unnerved many criminals who are directly or indirectly involved in this type of crime and put out a clear warning to others that this type of crime will not be tolerated."

Seized - weighing scales, a pill maker and substances believed to be amphetamines found by police in a Basildon home

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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