A series of police raids carried out across the UK on Wednesday morning have resulted in 16 arrests and the seizure of £150,000 cash and 20kgs of Class A and Class B drugs.
The Greenwich Peninsula was among the areas targeted on March 24 in a multi-police force operation targeting the distribution of Class A and Class B drugs which reportedly had been months in the planning.
Heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and cannabis were recovered in large quantities, and a suspected handgun was also recovered from a London address.
Officers from the Met, Kent Police, Essex Police, Avon and Somerset Police, Devon and Cornwall Police and Police Scotland executed the 29 warrants on the morning of Wednesday, 24 March.to arrest individuals involved in the sale and distribution of Class A and B drugs.
Met Police: UK-wide operation sees 16 arrests and 20kgs of drugs seized.
The raids were carried out all the way up in Aberdeen, and all the way down to Plymouth, but 20 of the addresses targeted were within London.
An address in River Gardens Walk, SE10, was among those hit this morning.
Greenwich Peninsula: River Garden Walk
16 people, aged between 25 and 43, were arrested and taken into custody. The arrests were on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs; one of those detained has also been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm.
Detective Inspector Tom Pearse, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "The supply and distribution of drugs doesn't contain itself within the M25.
"It’s a fluid and toxic commodity that leaks out into the Home Counties and beyond, often leaving a trail of violence in its wake. By collaborating with other police forces, we have removed those in the middle levels, as well as those at the top of the chain who were making in excess of a million pounds a year."
Met Police: UK-wide operation sees 16 arrests and 20kgs of drugs seized.
"The operation started in April 2020 when officers received intelligence that a number of individuals in Hackney, east London were involved in supply Class A drugs.
"Through a number of tactics, they established the network’s supply routes across the UK and the individuals responsible for coordinating the supply in the regions. Today’s arrests mean that this particular criminal network are no longer able to operate and officers will be seeking to seize assets accrued via their criminal activities."
DI Pearse added: "These arrests will play a significant part in disrupting the drugs supply market and play a fundamental part in tackling violent crime in London and the surrounding areas.
"The proactive team responsible for delivering this operation have investigated the criminal network with tenacity and vigour, working long and anti-social hours week after week. After today they will move onto the next network and start the process over. It remains the case that there is no loyalty within the drug supply network and those involved in this exploitative trade.
Met Police: UK-wide operation sees 16 arrests and 20kgs of drugs seized.
"I would encourage anyone with information around drug supply and associated violence to share it with their local neighbourhood team or with Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous."
The independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111; people providing information do not have to leave their name.
The warrants were executed at the following addresses:
Cropley Street, Hackney, N1
Meadow Walk, South Woodford, Redbridge, E18
Leatherhead Close, Hackney, N16
Longbridge Road, Barking, IG11
Foxley Close, E8
Homerton Road, Hackney, E9
Cortland Close, Ilford, IG8
Hatton Gardens, EC1N
Dunnock Close, Edmonton, Enfield, N9
Harleston Close, E5
Hoe Lane, Enfield, EN3
River Gardens Walk, SE10
Marks Road, Romford, RM7
Southwold Road, Hackney, E5
Amhurst Park, N16
Shaftesbury Street, Hackney, N1
Highbury Grange, Islington, N5
Harrington Hill, E5
Forest Drive West, Leytonstone, E11
Amhurst Road, Hackney, E8
Henderson Place, Plymouth, PL2
Union Street, Plymouth, PL1
Lester Close, Plymouth, PL3
Kit Hill Crescent, Plymouth, PL5
Viburnum Crescent, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32
Elizabeth II Avenue, Berkhamsted, HP4
Oliver Road, Shenfield, Essex, CM15
St Anne's Road, Mountnessing, Brentwood, CM15
Hillview Road, Aberdeen, AB15
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here