Operation Hawk saw drug dealers hunted by the Met yesterday.
Drug dealers were hunted by the Metropolitan Police, as part of Operation Hawk, in Kensington and Chelsea yesterday.
The intelligence-led scheme was executed by over 100 police officers, police community support officers (PSCO), special constables and volunteer police cadets.
12 warrants were executed under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and seven males arrested for offences ranging from money laundering to possession and intent to supply cocaine.
A 19-year-old man was also arrested for possession with intent to supply the class B drug cannabis after handing himself into Notting Hill Police Station this morning.
Drugs recovered included half a kilogram of cannabis and several individual bags of cannabis, cocaine and crack.
PC Kathy Aubeelack described how the half a kilogram of cannabis would be worth around £2000 and even more on the street.
Officers also recovered over £7000 in cash and several laptops and credit cards, 7 Sat Navs and a mountain bike.
Inspector Dave Morgan, of Kensington Metropolitan Police, said: “It’s exciting because you don’t know what you’re going to find.”
The borough was one of 32 taking part in Operation Hawk in which more than 350 arrests were made and 37 cannabis factories closed.
Over 2,700 cannabis plants were seized with a street value of £2,600,000.
Temporary Chief Superintendent Alisdair Ferguson, Borough Commander for Kensington and Chelsea Police, said: “The key part of the operation is sending a message to the community that we are gearing up to a future model operation.
“Hawk is the future of how we fight crime.”
Officers used Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) equipment to stop over 40 vehicles and check for drugs whilst 65,000 volunteer police cadets handed out information leaflets at tube stations across London.
Operation Hawk is a response to rising concerns from the public about the use of drugs across London.
Each borough will now carry out a minimum of seven raids a week.
Commander Mark Chishty, MPS operation lead for Operation Hawk, said: “Drug dealing damages communities. It generates crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
“The MPS is determined to tackle the issue head on by bringing together our resources to reclaim and help repair areas affected by drug dealing.”
Commander Chishty explained the importance of the community intelligence they received and said they would continue to pursue drug related crime on a daily basis.
He added: “You make the call, we’ll make it stop.”
Members of the public who have information about any suspected drug dealers in their area can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Dial 999 in an emergency and 101 for non emergencies.
For more information about Operation Hawk visit www.met.police.uk/ophawk
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