27 arrested in east London drugs raids as police seize weapons and £20,000
Police stormed addresses in Tower Hamlets and east London. Picture: Kois Miah - Credit: Met Pol/LBTH
Police have carried out a series of dawn raids in east London today as part of an operation to crackdown on drugs, violence and criminal activity.
Police in Jamaica Street in Stepney get ready for dawn raids across east London where 27 suspects are arrested in operation to seize cocaine and crack from dealers. Picture: Kois Miah - Credit: Met Pol/LBTH
They seized weapons, two tasers, £20,000 cash and a car in raids on 30 addresses with search warrants simultaneously at addresses in Whitechapel, Stepney and elsewhere across east London.
More than 150 officers from across the Met were involved in the operation who made 27 arrests and took suspects into custody.
“These arrests demonstrate our commitment to deal robustly with those who supply drugs,” Det Chief Insp Mike Hamer of the Gangs and Offender Management unit said.
Car seized when police find drug wraps in glove compartment. Picture source: Met Police - Credit: MPS
“We know the impact street based drug dealing has, through our understanding of criminal behaviour and from what our residents tell us.”
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The drug running is causing a strain on public services, with Tower Hamlets Council having to spend more than £7 million from the public purse this year alone to tackle substance misuse in the East End.
Mayor John Biggs, who was briefed about the police swoops, said: “This operation is part of our ongoing work to tackle the scourge of drug dealing on our streets.
Taser is recovered in drugs raid. Picture source: Met Police - Credit: MPS
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“Public safety is a priority and we’ll continue to use our powers to disrupt drug-dealing markets and prevent the criminal behaviour.
“We will do everything to fight drug dealing on our streets.”
The 26 men and one woman arrested this-morning were being held in custody on suspicion of “offences relating to drug supply in Tower Hamlets”, Scotland Yard has confirmed.
