Drugs and cash seized as 14 arrested in east London police raids
Officers storm premises across Tower Hamlets in drug raids conducted earlier in June. Picture: Kois Miah - Credit: Kois Miah
Fourteen men were arrested after a string of drugs raids in Tower Hamlets and Newham overnight and this morning.
Police storm an address in Fairclough Street, Whitechapel, during dawn raids earlier in June. Picture: Kois Miah - Credit: Met Pol/LBTH
Nearly 200 police officers from across the Met were involved in the operation, which seized drugs and an unspecified amount of cash.
Teams searched 15 addresses during the raids, the third wave of action last month under ‘Continuum’, a joint operation between Scotland Yard and Tower Hamlets Council.
The men, aged between 17 and 40, were arrested on suspicion of offences relating to the drug trade in Whitechapel and remain in custody.
“There will be no let up for drug dealers in Tower Hamlets as Operation Continuum responds to local community concerns regarding drug crime and associated, violent crime and anti-social behaviour,” said Det Chief Insp Mike Hamer, the Met’s Tower Hamlets crime, gangs and drugs lead.
Officers storm premises across Tower Hamlets in drug raids conducted earlier in June. Picture: Kois Miah - Credit: Kois Miah
“We have continued to build on earlier successes to enable us to deliver an equally effective operation today.
“We have also shown by working in partnership with the local council and partners, by sharing information and coordinating our activity using a wide range of criminal and civil powers we can respond so much more effectively to tackle the issues raised by our community.”
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Bobbies searched more than 50 addresses in relation to the drug trade last month, resulting in 31 men being charged with more than 90 offences.
They seized stun guns, a crossbow, knives and about £40,000 in criminal cash, as well as a “substantial” amount of crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis, according to officers.
John Biggs, mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “Tower Hamlets is a great place to live, work and visit — but drugs are a big issue across the whole of London.
“Residents have told us they are concerned about drugs, and this operation is just one of the ways we are working with the police and partners to take dealers off the streets.
“We’re also providing support after the raids have taken place. Youth workers will provide outreach to young people in the area, our housing team will support homeless people and we will provide substance misuse services to those suffering addiction and longer-term issues.”
