Nine arrests of suspected drug dealers have been made in dawn raids on Tuesday (September 22) after a three month, intelligence-led operation in Westminster.
During the course of the dawn raids, a number of search warrants were carried out at addresses across the north of the borough, with officers focusing much of their attention on the Queens Park and Harrow Road areas.
Those arrested were taken to a central London police station where they currently remain in custody.
Officers have so far recovered £1000 in cash and what is believed to be quantities of crack cocaine and heroin.
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.
The raids saw approximately 100 officers from various units including the Territorial Support Group, Dog Support Unit and Police Search Advisors Team.
Detective Inspector Dave Bolton said: "After listening to the community, today we have carried out a series of arrests helping to make Westminster a safer borough for people to live and work in.
"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.
"I personally would like to thank the local community for supporting us with our efforts in disrupting and dismantling criminal activity in Westminster, however we are not complacent and still require their help and support in the coming weeks and months.
"We would encourage anyone with any information about ongoing criminal activity within the borough to come forward and speak to us. Any information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence."
Arrests and searches continue.
Anyone with any information that could assist officers is asked to contact police on 020 7321 7557 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
