Nine suspected drug dealers arrested in London

LONDON: A three month long Metropolitan Police intelligence operation led by officers from Westminster resulted in the arrest of nine suspected drug dealers in early morning raids on Tuesday.

Multiple raids were carried out in and around Queens Park and Harrow Road wards. Those arrested were taken to a central London police station where they are being held.

Metropolitan Police recovered £1000 in cash, crack cocaine and heroin.

According to a Met press release, “The arrests - on suspicion of the supply of class A drugs - were made as part of Operation Handel which is a proactive operation responding to concerns raised by the community regarding violence perpetrated by street drug dealers in the area.”

Nearly 100 officers from various units took part in the operation including members of the Territorial Support Group (TSG), Dog Support Unit (DSU) and Police Search Advisors team (PoISA).

Detective Inspector Dave Bolton thanked the local community for supporting the police in its efforts towards disrupting and dismantling criminal activity in Westminster.

Bolton added, "We are strong in our resolve to reduce the drug activity and the violence that is associated with it. Together with the local authority and partner agencies we will continue to do all that we can to divert young people away from a life of crime.”