AN EDMONTON man is facing drug charges after being arrested in a massive police raid on organised crime in neighbouring Haringey last week.

Omer Durnan-Celebi, 46, of Pasteur Gardens, has been charged with possession with intent to supply heroin and cannabis, as well as possession of a stun gun.

He appeared at Haringey Magistrates' Court on Thursday following Operation Narita, a crimebust involving 600 police officers.

The police operation was a response to the Green Lanes shoot-out of November 9 between north London drugs gangs which left one man dead and 20 others injured.

Independent reporter Johnathan Schroder accompanied police on the raids, which aimed to hit at the heart of a criminal empire which extends across Europe.

In total 15 properties were raided by police across Haringey, Hackney and Harrow.

Officers involved were fully briefed on the importance of the operation just prior to the raids, which had previously been kept a closely guarded secret.

A family with business interests in Haringey and believed to be linked to the November 9 incident, and a gang shooting outside Wood Green Police Station last year, was one of the principal targets of the operation.

Addressing officers on the night of the raid, Commander Alan Brown said: "The particular group that we are working against is probably the biggest organised crime group in the UK.

"They have survived in London because they are extremely professional. They have intimidated, used excessive violence, and are so confident that they are prepared to use firearms in broad daylight."

During the entire operation, officers arrested 23 people and found two firearms, two offensive weapons, ammunition, an undefined quantity of drugs and two separate seizures of cash. A total of five million cigarettes were also found at one property in Haringey.

Commander of Met Territorial Policing John Yates said: "Our intelligence suggests that the family we gave targeted are very big players and we believe that they are involved in major international heroin traffic.

"This is a significant reassurance message gun crime and violent crime on the street is something we will not tolerate."

A total of four other men have been charged with a variety of drug, weapon and violent offences while a further nine have been detained by police for deportation.

January 29, 2003 10:30