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A CRACKDOWN on drug dealing across the capital saw police seize more than £1 million worth of drugs in just five days.
Police made 65 arrests for offences including possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and cannabis cultivation.
Officers seized drugs including Diazepam sleeping tablets with a street value of £540,000 and cannabis resin in blocks with a street value of £386,000.
A series of raids closed down cannabis factories across London.
At one factory police found 1400 cannabis plants with a street value of approximately £280,000 and harvested super strength skunk' cannabis worth £80,000.
The operation was part of National Tackling Drugs Week which ran from Monday to Friday last week.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said the total value of drugs seized could rise with test results on seized substances still coming in.
Police also recovered guns and immitation firearms during the clampdown.
Officers visited schools and colleges to talk to students about drugs and spoke to residents and businesses in a number of communities about the impact of drugs in their areas.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Allan Gibson said: “The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), together with its many partner agencies, has made a significant contribution to National Tackling Drugs Week in undertaking operations and activities that are designed to lead to increased community safety in London.
“Staff from Safer Neighbourhood and Community Teams, through to specialist squads such as Operation Trident, have been engaged in tackling all levels of drug related crime as well as providing information to the public to increase understanding of the harm caused by drugs, and the support services that are available.
As a result of, many arrests have been made, and guns, drugs and money seized from criminals across London preventing their use in harming local communities.
“Drugs enforcement work continues throughout the year, and NTDW has provided a snapshot of the harm reduction work that is carried out by the MPS and its partner agencies in tackling drugs and, together, making London safer.”
Borough by borough: a breakdown of the raids, arrests and drugs seized
Barnet
One Vietnamese illegal immigrant arrested and charged with cannabis cultivation - 400 plants
One Vietnamese illegal immigrant arrested and charged with cannabis cultivation - 750 plants
One arrest after a warrant targeting a heroin dealer - small amount of heroin and large amount of skunk recovered.
Two linked cannabis factories targeted. This operation culminated in the arrest of five Vietnamese (three men and two women). A rough estimation of around 20 kilos was seized with a street value £80,000.00. There were also 250 plants.
Bromley
70 Searches, five Arrests for class A and B drug possession.
Three Penalty Notice for disorder four for cannabis cannabis warnings.
One arrest at a cannabis factory - 400 plants
Six arrests for possession with intent to supply drugs.
Camden
One arrested on suspicion of offering to supply class A drugs.
A quantity of packaged drugs was seized from various shops and venues throughout Camden.
Four imitation firearms were recovered from a venue including a Brocock' with a silencer.
One person has been charged with possession with intent to supply class B drugs after a small amount of skunk' and a set of scales were found.
CS Spray, a prohibited weapon, was also recovered.
Hackney
15 charged with over 60 offences connected to the supply of class A drugs
Recovered just short of half a kilo of Cocaine.
Recovered 60g (£1000) of heroin.
Recovered one firearm and drugs recovered.
Three charged with firearms and drugs offences.
Harrow
740g of cocaine seized.
Four stop and search cannabis warnings.
One arrest for obstructing a drug search.
One arrest for possession of a class B drug.
One arrest for cannabis possession.
Two arrests for the cultivation of cannabis.
Four arrests for possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Three arrests for possession of class A.
Islington
One cannabis warning issued.
One arrst for possession with intent to supply.
Two penalty notice for possession of cannabis.
Two arrested for possession of cannabis, heroin and cocaine.
Lewisham
11 Cannabis seizures.
Two arrests for possession with intent to supply.
One Cannabis cultivation arrest.
Five cannabis arrests.
Two Cannabis factories found.
Newham
One arrest and Diazepam tablets street value £540,000 and Cannabis resin in blocks street value at £386,000 seized.
Richmond
Awareness stands at Richmond and Twickenham train station with Safer Neighbourhood Teams.
Officers talk at a school.
10 cannabis plants found with two arrests.
One arrest following a search where £5000 cash was recovered along with a quantity of crack and Viagra tablets.
Westminster
Five arrests for possession with intent to supply.
Over £10,000 cash seized.
Four cannabis warnings.
25 wraps of cocaine seized.
Over 1.5 kg cannabis recovered.
Reader views (1)
Where there is a huge demand, there will be a supply. In tough times of a recession, people try & earn what they can, and if there is a huge demand for drugs (which there is!), then people will supply. Simple economics.
- Dom, London, 16/06/2009 17:51
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