Eight people held in Lambeth today amid police dawn drugs bust after eight-month undercover operation
Eight arrests have been made and £15,000 cash seized in a massive undercover operation targeting drugs and violent crime.
Dawn raids led to the males aged between 16 and 26-years-old being held on suspicion of a range of drugs offences.
The charges include Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs, Supply of Class A Drugs and Possession with Intent to Supply Class A Drugs.
The warrants were implemented today, Wednesday 10 June, at homes across Lambeth.
About £15,000 cash was also seized as well as stashes of class A drugs.
The warrants are the culmination of an eight-month, covert investigation into drug dealing, organised crime and violent offences in the area, which was launched following crucial intelligence from the communities who live there.
A number of officers were involved in the operation, including the Violent Crime Taskforce (VCTF), Lambeth and Southwark local officers and Territorial Support Group (TSG).
Detective Superintendent John Harnwell, of the Met’s Violent Crime Taskforce, said: “Tackling violent crime remains our top priority in London, and this is a fantastic example of the VCTF working in close partnership with local borough officers to dismantle organised criminality and those exploiting and coercing vulnerable people, often young children, to sell drugs.
“Even through this challenging pandemic, officers across the wider organisation have remained committed to suppressing violence, and as part of this, bringing those intent on peddling drugs to justice. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to tackle these types of crimes head on.”
Commander Colin Wingrove, of Lambeth and Southwark said: “The operation today aims to protect communities from the harm caused by drug related violence, safeguard vulnerable and young people, and bring those responsible to justice.
“Drug supply is responsible for a large proportion of violence we see across Lambeth and Southwark. We know that this, understandably, is of huge concern to local communities, who can feel threatened and intimidated.
“We will not tolerate this criminality which causes misery to many who live here. I hope the successes we have seen here today highlights our relentless efforts to drive down violence, drug-dealing and serious organised criminality, and reassures the community that we are absolutely committed to working with them and making the streets in which they live safer.”
If you are worried about someone you suspect may be carrying a knife or other weapon, advice and support is also available through organisations including Knife Free https://www.knifefree.co.uk/
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