The Gas Gang is known as one of London’s most harmful gangs.
High profile Brixton gang members were arrested this morning as over 700 police took part in a country-wide operation.
The so-called ‘Gas Gang’ is linked to towns across the UK, with police raiding more than 20 homes in London, Essex, Bracknell, Bedfordshire and Edinburgh.
Police arrested 29 people linked to ‘one of London’s most harmful gangs’, for offences including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, money laundering, fraud and immigration offences, among others.
Those targeted in today’s raids were the most senior ranking high harm members of the gang.
Detective Superintendent Martin Huxley, Lambeth Borough, said: “Those who deal drugs and bring violence to our streets should know that we will use all tactics to arrest and convict them, and we will protect those in our communities who do not deserve to live alongside such criminals.
“Every person we believe to be involved in gangs is given the opportunity to seek a lifestyle away from gangs and offered the support to help them do that. However, those who choose not accept this offer can expect us to target them and their criminal lifestyle.”
Officers have so far recovered what is believed to be around 300 rocks of crack cocaine and a large quantity of heroin. The have also seized approximately £5,000 cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The search warrants were led by the Trident Central Gangs Unit and assisted by the Met’s Territorial Support Group (TSG) and colleagues from Thames Valley Police, Essex Police, Bedfordshire Police and Police Scotland. The operation was also supported by officers from the MPS’s Dogs Unit, Air Support Unit, Central Criminal Finances Team, Operation Nexus and Safer Neighbourhoods Teams.
Nine raids took place in and around Angell Town in Brixton, where the Gas Gang is based.
Commander Steve Rodhouse, the MPS lead on Gangs and Organised Crime, said: “Since the Commissioner launched the Trident Gang Crime Command almost two years ago we have achieved some fantastic results in tackling gangs and reducing the number of young people injured.
“When the command first launched around 300-400 gang members were in custodyorsubject to judicial restrictions, such as gang injunctions, ASBOs, electronically tagged or managed under license or youth referral orders. This figure is now stands at nearly 1,300.
“This increase and operations like the one this morning have contributed significantly to our success. Today’s activity follows a Trident-led operation tackling a Lambeth-based gang whose connections are as far reaching as Scotland and whose criminal activity impacts communities across the UK.
If you have any information about gang crimeorthose involved call Crimestoppers – an independent charity – anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.
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