SUSPECTED gang members were woken up with a bang during police raids targeting violent crime in Brent.
Officers from Brent Police and Operation Trident’s central gang unit arrested 15 people early on Wednesday morning last week.
Thirteen dawn raids on homes were carried out in the Stonebridge Park area as part of a crackdown on gang related offences. The raids, part of Operation Gerbon, involved 100 police officers, who were assisted by members of the Metropolitan Police Territorial Support Group.
A quantity of class A drugs, believed to be crack cocaine, and a large amount of cash were among the items seized by officers during the raids, which were carried out simultaneously across the borough.
Two women and 13 men, aged from 19 to 40, were arrested on suspicion of a variety of drug-related offences, including conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Trident officer Detective Inspector Adrian Lewis said last Wednesday: “I am pleased with the results today.
“The operation we are doing today targets high volume class A drugs dealing by violent gang members within the South Kilburn and Stonebridge Park Estate.”
Detective Superintendent Lloyd Gardner, of the central gangs unit, said: “Since April, there has been in excess of 2,000 gang arrests by the Metropolitan Police. Today is further demonstration that if you are a gang member who commits crime you will be arrested.”
Anyone with information about gang crime or those involved, can inform the police anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
