TWO teenagers and a woman arrested on suspicion of a drug-related murder attempt have been released without charge.

Leban Elmi, 22, of Kirkwood Road, Peckham, was blasted in the stomach with a shotgun near the Malvern flats tower block, off Coleman Street, Southend, on April 18.

Elmi survived but was arrested after 26.3grams of crack cocaine were found in his bottom at Royal London Hospital. He was later released on bail but carried out an acid attack on a teenager inside a shop in Westcliff on June 30.

At his trial for inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, the court heard Elmi spent the night before the shooting being driven around London and Essex drinking alcohol. Gavin Burell, mitigating for Elmi, said: “He was asked by certain members of society to transfer a package.

“He had some trouble removing the package from his anus. He was trying to drink heavily in an effort to remove it. He was told to get the package out and was then shot.”

Elmi was later jailed for 12-and-a-half years.

A 19-year-old from Southend and an 18-year-old from Leigh were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in relation to his shooting. A 20-year-old woman, from Southend, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and affray.

The trio were bailed three times but an Essex Police spokesman said they have been released.